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

Firefighters say it is nothing wanting a miracle {that a} canine named Apollo survived a fireplace on Saturday afternoon that gutted a house in Colchester County.

Neighbours reported the hearth in Decrease Debert. The householders had been absent.

When the Onslow Belmont Fireplace Brigade arrived, the home was ablaze. 

Forty minutes in, firefighter Derek Richard was making his means by way of the home when he seen Apollo mendacity on the kitchen flooring. 

“He lifted his head, and he sort of sat up,” Richard mentioned, “and I am like, ‘Whoa, what is going on on right here?'”

Richard scooped up the canine and handed him to a different firefighter, who took him out of the home. 

“It is truly a miracle this canine was nonetheless alive,” Richard mentioned.

Neighbours and paramedics had been keen to assist Apollo. They helped assess him and poured water on him to maintain him cool. Temperatures topped 30 C within the space on Saturday.

When Richard’s air tank ran out of oxygen, he left the home to see Apollo. He mentioned it is uncommon for a canine to have the ability to survive a fireplace like that.

He mentioned Apollo did not appear to be too labored up. He mentioned he was by no means confrontational.

“It was like he was welcoming the assistance. You could possibly see it. Like, once I carried him, he was simply limp. Like, he let me do no matter I needed to do.”

Richard is aware of what it’s wish to lose a canine. He misplaced his adopted canine, Bella, earlier this yr after caring for her for greater than 13 years.

“She was my greatest buddy. You realize, anyone who had a canine will inform you that.”

Because the firefighters had been packing up, the proprietor returned with Apollo from a vet go to and he was all cleaned up.

“I am so glad he is good,” Richard mentioned. “It was so good to see him once more there.”