'A miracle': N.S. dog Apollo survives inside burning house

Firefighters say it's nothing short of a miracle that a senior dog named Apollo survived a fire on Saturday afternoon that gutted a home in Nova Scotia's Colchester County.

Apollo was the only one home when the fire broke out in Lower Debert. Neighbours reported the blaze.

Forty minutes after the Onslow Belmont fire brigade arrived on the scene, firefighter Derek Richardwas making his way through the house when he noticed the 11-year-olddoghunkered down on the kitchen floor.

"He lifted his headand he kind of sat up," Richard said, "and I'm like, 'Whoa, what's going on here?'"

Richard scooped up the dog and passed him to another firefighter, who took him out of the house.

"It's actually a miracle this dog was still alive," Richard said.

Steve Currie, a firefighter and spokesperson for the fire department, said the average temperature of a house fire is 100 C.

"I recall Derek talking to me that he could feel the heat through his firefighter gloves, which is rated for a fairly high-degree temperature. So the dog did need time to cool down," said Currie.

Neighbours and paramedics were eager to help Apollo. They assessedhim and poured water on him to keep him cool. Temperatures topped 30 C in the area on Saturday.

"It was like he was welcoming the help," said Richard. "You could see it. Like, when I carried him, he was just limp. Like, he let me do whatever I had to do."

Richard knows what it is like to lose a dog. He lost his dog, Bella, earlier this year after caring for her for more than 13 years.

"She was my best friend. You know, anybody who had a dog will tell you that."

The home's owner, Donna Frizzle, praised those who helped save Apollo on Saturday.

"We are so incredibly grateful to everyone that helped with our house fire and to everyone that helped get our old boy out. He truly is our miracle boy," said Frizzle.

Apollo, who has been resting and staying close to his owners, will revisit the vet this week to double-check his lungs because of smoke exposure.

Currie said Apollo has taught everyone a great lesson on fire safety and the importance of keeping low to the ground to avoid inhaling thick smoke.

"If there's ever a fire, stay really low," he said."That made a substantive difference in Apollo's survival."