Firefighters' Special Mask Credited With Saving Dog's Life in Canton Fire

Canton firefighters used a special oxygen mask to save the life of a dog during a house fire Saturday, according to a press release from the Canton Fire Department.

Skylar, a yellow Labrador retriever, was found unconscious and having trouble breathing inside a home on the 6800 block of Carriage Hills Drive at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the release said.

According to the release, firefighters arrived at the house and noticed smoke coming from the overhangs. Firefighters forced the front door of the residence open, the release said, and found the family dog unresponsive and with labored breathing.

Firefighters brought the dog outdoors, the release said, where firefighters waited for a special oxygen masked designed specifically for dogs that was donated to the department in 2008 by then-Canton resident Christy Jones.

Firefighters administered oxygen to the dog for about 20 minutes, until Skylar regained consciousness, the release said, and began breathing better.

Dr. Mark Alsager of in Canton arrived at the scene and took Skylar to a 24-hour animal hospital, where the dog is in stable condition and expected to fully recover. Alsager credited the special mask with saving the dog's life, the news release said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No human injuries were reported in the blaze.

Also on Saturday, firefighters from the combined Northville and Plymouth fire department in Plymouth.