Fire crews save dog with oxygen

Eric Baxter • Published 11 Mar 2010 14:00

FIREFIGHTERS saved a dog's life when they tackled a blaze in Greenock.

They gave oxygen to Eric, a one-year-old Toy Yorkshire terrier named after former Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.

A kitchen fire had broken out in a semi-detached house in Old Inverkip Road and wee Eric was home alone next door.

Teacher Elizabeth Dyer came home about 45 minutes after the fire started on Sunday afternoon. She said: "I got a shock when I saw the fire engines and when I went into the house it was full of smoke.

"Eric was lying unconscious on the kitchen floor. He was overcome by smoke. He had been sick on the floor and I thought he was dead."

Elizabeth, 53, took him outside and managed to detect a slight pulse.

She spent several minutes rubbing his chest and even tried mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but was unable to revive him.

Eric belongs to Elizabeth's son, Michael, a 25-year-old teacher and Manchester United fan.

Elizabeth said: "I was panicking. I thought we had lost Eric and then I realised the firefighters were still next door.

"They were finishing off putting out the fire and I asked if they could give Eric oxygen.

"They weren't sure at first if they could do it, but they asked their chief and he told them to go ahead.

"Three firefighters came to do it, with one holding an oxygen mask over Eric's face for a few minutes until he came around.

"I'm so grateful to them for their help.

"He's been to the vet for a check-up and he's fine now - full of life as usual."

Michael, pictured hugging Eric, left, said: "The firefighters were great. They saved Eric's life."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 11 Mar 10

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