Dog dies after starting house fire in Devon

Image caption, Firefighters said they were called to a property in Tavistock early on Friday

A dog died after it accidentally started a fire in a house in west Devon, fire crews say.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said on that they were called to a property in Tavistock at 01:47 BST on Friday after neighbours raised the alarm when they smelt smoke from next door.

Firefighters said the owners were not home, and that the blaze was started by a dog jumping up to the cooker and turning the hob on.

Crews extinguished the flames and managed to rescue a gerbil and guinea pig, but the dog died from smoke inhalation.

The remaining pets were being treated by a local vet, the service said.

Crews said they used two hose reel jets and four breathing apparatus sets to extinguish the flames, which left the kitchen severely damaged.

The service said: "Please, please get a working smoke alarm in your house. One day it may save you, your children, family or pets' lives.

"This isn鈥檛 uncommon where a dog will seek food left on top of the hob."

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