4-month-old puppy wakes up owner during Vancouver apartment fire

A Vancouver dog owner said her puppy may have saved lives after her apartment caught fire on New Year's Eve.

Brittany Cosgrovewas sleeping in her West End home when flames broke out around 2 a.m. Cosgroveonly woke up when she heard barking from her four-month-old puppy, Leo, aBiewer Yorkshire terrier.

She walked into the bathroom right next to her bedroom and found the fire. She said smoke detectors weren't going off.

"There were flames dripping down from the ceiling," Cosgrove said."I called 911 ... then I grabbed Leo, grabbed a blanket, and headed outside."

"If Ihadn't had him, then I don't know where I would be right now I believe the entire building would've gone, and possibly lives."

The fire forced at least 30 peoplefrom their homes, damaging all three floors.Peter Bridge, with Vancouver FireRescue, said it may have been caused byan electrical short in the building's wiring system.

Cosgroveand Leo are currently being housed in a hotel, but the dog owner said she's going to be on her own in a few days.

"My main concern is trying to find a place for Leo and I to live, hopefully still in the West End or downtown core," she said.

Cosgrove said she's grateful thetypically-quiet puppy woke up that night.

"I was just instantly protected by him. He knew I'm his mom," she said. "I have no idea what was going through his little mind but he definitely went right into rescue mode.

"Things can be replaced but lives can't, so I'm really happy," she said. "I'm really thankful for him."