10-year-old jumps from burning French farmhouse, saves two dogs and teddy

Ten-year-old Milo rang the emergency services, leapt from an upstairs window and then let the family dogs out after a fire tore through a 19th-century wooden farmhouse in eastern France on Friday evening, September 4 in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region.

Flames ripped through the renovated old farm in the small village of Poizat-Lalleyriat shortly before 6.30pm. With its wooden structure and all, the house went up in flames fast. Neighbours dialled for help as well once they saw how quickly the blaze took hold. Thirteen vehicles and 32 firefighters from stations across the area raced in.

Boy rings firefighters then leaps from upstairs window

🗞️FAITS DIVERS | Milo, 10 ans, s’échappe de l’incendie de sa maison en sautant par la fenêtre.

Un incendie s’est déclaré ce vendredi au Poizat-Lalleyriat vers 18h30 pour une cause inconnue. L’enfant a contacté les sapeurs-pompiers après avoir constaté un important dégagement de… pic.twitter.com/hlbnJsYA9Y

— Direct Brut (@DirectBrut) September 6, 2026

Milo was home alone, and the thick smoke told him he had no time. Ground-floor exits were already cut off by flames, so he jumped from the upper floor. Haut-Bugey mayor Samuel Becot later said the lad showed “a lot of courage and a great presence of mind.” Once outside, Milo forced a door so the two family dogs could get clear. He even grabbed a few belongings first, including his much-loved doudou (teddy).

Staff at Oyonnax Hospital checked him over. Injuries were minor: two stitches in his fingers.

Family left with nothing after old wooden farmhouse burns

Everything inside is gone. Relatives have taken in the household in for now. The commune also has local council-owned lodging ready if they need it. Local officials have asked people to donate basic necessities while a proper list of what is required is drawn up.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Investigators will try to work out how it started. Le Progrès first reported the details.

Similar bravery has been seen in other French rescues, including a Paris caretaker who pulled children and adults from a sixth-floor ledge during a block fire. Pets have been pulled from flames across Spain and France this year too, from hunting packs in Avila to dogs left behind in evacuated homes.