Oxygen masks for pets on all South Yorkshire fire engines

Firefighters James Clarke (left) and Joe Walker with Watson at Stocksbridge station

The kit, which comes in three sizes, is designed to fit over the snout of an animal to better increase survival chances.

Station manager Wayne Sutcliffe said: “We attend many house fires where pets are involved, in the past we have used normal oxygen masks to attempt to revive them.

“Thankfully with the supply of these specifically designed masks we will now be able to save even more beloved family pets.”

The masks have been supplied through South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s partnership with Smokey Paws.

The not-for-profit organisation was set up by Lynn Carberry and husband Brian Lockyer in Weston-super-Mare.

SYFR have attended 133 house fires involving pets in the past five years. One of the new masks was used to revive a dog after a blaze on Northern Avenue, Sheffield, on June 7.

A Smokey Paws spokesman said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped our campaign, working towards our mission of making sure every UK fire engine is equipped with our masks, with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue now fully equipped thanks to kind donations.

“To hear that these masks have already made a difference in the area reinforces their importance and spurs us on to complete our mission."