A Catawba County family braved a fire Monday afternoon to save nine dogs and a bird inside their home. Five fire departments from Catawba, Lincoln and Iredell counties fought the fire just south of Maiden. They could see smoke and flames coming from the front of the home when they arrived. "They were home at the time,” Sherrills Ford Fire Chief Rick Davis said. “Everyone did make it out. They had smoke alarms. They did activate so they were able to get out in plenty of time." The owner and her husband were inside when it started and believe the fire started in the kitchen. They are grateful the Pomeranians and the bird are OK. "This is my baby,” Francis Tubbs said of one of the dogs. “His momma is in the pen. All my dogs are in the front yard." The Red Cross is assisting the family.