A FIREFIGHTER from Kendal has helped rescue a drowning dog from the sea.

Mark Sharpe, of Shap Road, was part of a group of firefighters based in Barrow that had to dramatically pluck Ella, an 18-month-old poodle from the cold waters of the Walney Channel.

Ella, owned by Dalton-in-Furness couple Lorraine and Terry Burns, was let off her lead while being walked by Mr Burns on a path by the channel at around 9.30pm on Friday (July 3). However, after a short time happily running along the path Ella disappeared from view, plunging four metres into the water below.

Mrs Burns said: “My husband let her off the lead and she was skipping along and was very happy. Next thing she vanished over the side and the water was in at the time. Terry ran up to the life box to get a life ring but there wasn’t anything there so he rang the fire brigade.

“He was going to jump in because he knew he couldn’t come back without the dog. He knows how much I love her,” she said.

Firefighters arrived swiftly at the scene in four engines and Mr Sharpe, 37, who is a keen climber, was able to use his skills by being lowered down on ropes over the edge to the water. He was then able to scoop Ella from the sea and return her to dry land.

Officers then treated her for hypothermia and gave her oxygen to help her recover.

Mr Sharpe said: “It is a team effort. In the fire service animals are just as important as humans.”

Mrs Burns said: “I’m so thankful she is home. We can’t thank the firemen enough for the work they did that 15 minutes.”