A dog had to be given oxygen but is expected to recover after a fire broke out at a Coquitlam home early Wednesday morning.
The two occupants of the Maillardville residence — an elderly woman and her daughter — and two other cats were able to escape without injury after the blaze ignited in the basement.
Fire Chief Wade Pierlot said the eight-year-old Shih Tzu was taken to a veterinary clinic after crews worked on the animal with an oxygen mask adapted for pets.
"They began reviving the dog with oxygen and manual stimulation," he said. "We have had the adaptive equipment in place for many years. A lot of departments do now."
Firefighters were called out to the scene shortly after 1 a.m. The two occupants said they were awoken by their smoke detector and quickly made there way outside where they called 911.
However, the pets were left inside and Pierlot said crews were able to find the animals thanks to the accurate details provided by the residents.
The dog was carried from the structure and the two cats were found hiding in an area that was not impacted by the flames.
Pierlot said the home sustained considerable fire, smoke and water damage and will likely need significant renovations. Investigators are still combing the scene to determine the cause, however the blaze is not considered suspicious.
"It appears accidental," Pierlot said. "It is under investigation but I can confirm that we don't believe it to be malicious. There is no indication of that."
@gmckennaTC
