WONDER puppy, Ernie, takes a breath of fresh air after an incredible escape from a fire at his home.

The 11-month-old Rottweiler vaulted a child safety gate then pushed open an upstairs window and jumped to escape the blaze.

He has been hailed “a wonder dog” by his owners.

The dog was in the kitchen of the terraced house in Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor, when a fire broke out in the cooker.

Within a minute, he had made his spectacular escape — to the amazement of passers-by, who saw the dog plunge 12 feet from the window.

His owner, Steve Bowers, aged 31, said: “It is amazing. I always thought he was a pretty clever puppy but I didn’t expect him to be able to do that. I think it must have been instinct. He is a bit shaken after his ordeal, and smells of smoke, but he seems all right in himself.

“I am very proud of him. I am just glad that he is OK.

“We will have to do something to treat him. A big slap up steak meal or something like that.”

Mr Bowers’ girlfriend, Stephanie Hogg, aged 24, said: “Ernie is a wonder dog.”

She said the couple normally lock all the windows but by chance had left the front bedroom open about an inch, so Ernie was able to push it open.

Fire crews were called to the house at about 9.40am yesterday. By the time they arrived Ernie had already escaped and was being cared for by staff at All Breeds pet shop in Tonge Moor Road.

Watch commander Paul Norris, at Bolton North fire station, said: “He did very well. I have been in the fire service for 20 years and I have never seen anything like this before. Sadly, I have been to lots of incidents where dogs have died in fires.”

Mr Bowers, a parts adviser at Mercedes in Weston Street, Great Lever, said: “The firefighters were excellent. We are so grateful to them for trying to minimise the impact of the fire.”

The kitchen was destroyed in the blaze and the rest of the house was badly damaged by smoke and water.

lucy.ewing@thebolton news.co.uk