Crews from Hallam and Dandenong fire brigades responded to a house fire in Hawthorn Road Doveton just before midday on Sunday 15 June.
During the internal fire attack Leading Fire-fighter Neil Poulton from Dandenong brigade wearing breathing apparatus located a dog that was in the final breaths of life in a front room.
The dog was handed over to volunteer fire-fighter Dennis Vlug from Hallam brigade who administered oxygen and warmed the dog with a blanket until he recovered. Neighbours then took the dog to a local vet for treatment once he was well enough.
Senior Station Officer Mick Lia was the Incident Controller. Fire-fighters who were directly involved in the fire-fight had their gear washed and bagged as a precaution due to the age of the house.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. Unfortunately another dog found in the house did not survive.
Author: Keith Pakenham