LEONI TWP., MI - A large dog was rescued from a vehicle fire Wednesday night by a group of bystanders who saw a smoking silver SUV in a parking lot and jumped into action.

Police and rescue crews were called to the vehicle fire at about 9 p.m., Nov. 22, in the Meijer parking lot on E. Michigan Avenue, Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety Director Mike Jester said.

The dog was rescued by bystanders who saw the animal in distress and got it out before police arrived at the scene, Jester said.

The dog's owner suffered minor burns to his hands attempting to get the dog out of the vehicle and was treated at the scene, Jester said.

One of the bystanders told police he administered CPR to the dog prior to the arrival of rescue crews, Jester said.

The dog was given oxygen by first responders until its breathing returned to normal, Jester said. The owner said he would take the dog to see a veterinarian later as a precaution, Jester said.

The interior of the car was damaged in the fire, but not believed to be beyond repair, Jester said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he said.