Santa Monica firefighters managed to resuscitate a small dog that was found trapped in a burning apartment.

The dog miraculously survived despite enduring the brutal effects of the fire after breathing in smoke for at least 20 minutes.

California firefighters saved the day when they performed the kiss-of-life with a special pet-CPR machine that involved placing an oxygen mask, designed for dogs, over its snout.

The fire happened at around 4pm on Tuesday at a one-story apartment building near Santa Monica High School.

Santa Monica firefighters responding to an apartment fire yesterday saved a dog that had been overcome by heat and smoke, as the worried owner, Crystal Lamirande, 35, looks on

Firefighters searching the interior for victims discovered an unresponsive dog that was overcome by heat and smoke

The dog was quickly pulled from the structure not breathing and without a pulse. The concern of its owner, Crystal Lamirande, was clear for all to see, left

Video courtesy of Billy Fernando

The fire spread rapidly from a kitchen through to a storage room.

When firefighters entered the building, they discovered the unconscious dog that had been overcome by the heat and smoke and managed to pull it out of the building.

Despite not breathing nor having a pulse, rescuers did not give up and they battled to save the dog's life.

They were closely watched by the pet's concerned owner, 35-year-old Crystal Lamirande.

Lamirande says she frantically tried to save her dog, a 10-year-old Bichon Frise/Shih Tzu named Nalu, but after running into the burning building was forced back because the smoke was too thick.

Firefighters performed 'CPR' and provided oxygen through a 'Pet Oxygen Masks', a standard piece of equipment that all Santa Monica Fire Department units carry

Andrew Klein from Santa Monica Fire Department went in for the rescue and gave the pet CPR to bring the dog back to life

Lamirande says she frantically tried to save her dog, a 10-year-old Bichon Frise/Shih Tzu named Nalu, but she says the smoke was too thick

After 20 minutes of first aid, the dog began to breathe on its own and was able to walk.

Neighbors took the dog to a local animal hospital. The pooch then spent the next 24 hours in an oxygen chamber and is said to be doing well.

'This brave firemen (sic) named Andrew Klein from Santa Monica Fire Department went in for the rescue and gave the pet a CPR and took care of her back to life,' photographer Billy Fernando wrote as he captured the unfolding drama. 'Faith in humanity restored.'

It took 23 firefighters to finally get the blaze under control.

No people were injured in the fire.

California firefighters spent 20 minutes performing mouth-to-snout resuscitation

Santa Monica fire crews carry pet CPR devices with them which helped to save the dog's life

After 20 minutes, the dog began breathing on its own and regained consciousness, even regaining the ability to walk around. Firefighter Andrew Klein performed CPR on the dog