An East Vancouver family has an extra reason to celebrate Family Day after their dog was brought back to life by Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.

Rescue officials initially thought the dog had succumbed to smoke inhalation. (Ryan Stelting/CBC)

The animal was pulled out of a second floor suite where a small fire had broken out. At first, rescuers believed the dog had succumbed to smoke inhalation, but 20 to 25 minutes after using an oxygen bag and mask adapted to fit over its snout, the pet was revived.

Battalion Chief Peter Bridge says he was surprised the dog came back to life.

After being revived, the dog was taken to the vet by its owner (Ryan Stelting/CBC)

"We were afraid [it] was deceased," said Bridge. "We used oxygen to enrich the blood and displace the the smoke through the bag-valve mask."

"Quite often throughout the Lower Mainland firefighters are rescuing pets. We do whatever we can to revive them. They're very important for the people who own them," he said.

Rescuers worked on the dog for 20 to 25 minutes. (Ryan Stelting/CBC)

No one else was in the suite when the fire broke out. After being revived, the dog was taken by its owner to the vet. It is expected to recover.