BIRDSBORO, Pa. -- You could say that Sammy the cat is a real feline flame spotter.

The neighbors across the street certainly think Sammy is the cat's meow because the finicky feline saved their lives.

Video: Sammy The Cat Saves Family
Slideshow: Cat Is Family's Lifesaver
Sammy was perched on the windowsill of his family's home when fire broke out at the house across the street while everyone was asleep on July 3.

That's when all 17 pounds of Sammy went into action.

"He jumped off the windowsill and slid into the other room. He kind of slid in there, he gave me a look like, you know, his head was going back and forth and he was panicking. He was telling me something was wrong," said Dan DeMarco, Sammy's owner.

Something was wrong. Fire was engulfing the Massey family's house and the family of six never knew it until DeMarco woke them up and called 911.

"If it wasn't for the neighbor's cat meowing, we probably would have lost our lives and our home," said Roger Massey.

While Sammy was meowing, the Masseys' pets never made a peep.

"The dog was sleeping with my wife and never heard nothing," Massey said.

If you think that's bad, the Masseys' own cat, Bart, was also oblivious, so that night Sammy was definitely the top cat.

"He's the guard dog. Being 17 pounds, he scares some people," DeMarco said.

For a reward, Sammy got his favorite dessert -- whipped cream. He also got a thank you basket from the very grateful Massey family.