Two pets were rescued from a fire that ripped through a flat.

The residents of the flat, in Trinity Road, Kennington, Ashford, were out at the time of the blaze.

Firefighters from Ashford were called to the fire at 7.51pm on Christmas Day and broke in to rescue a hamster and a dog.

Neither animal was hurt thanks to the fact that the interior doors were closed, although the flat was badly damaged.

Had the doors been left open, it is likely that neither would have survived.

Firefighters reckon an interior door will keep back a fire for 30 minutes, although smoke will still get through.

All internal doors should be closed when a house is unattended to stop flames spreading.

The cause of the fire, which began in the kitchen, is still under investigation.