Fire chiefs are urging people to have smoke alarms fitted after two puppies died and a mother and daughter and two other dogs had to be rescued from a house fire in Canterbury.

The blaze broke out in the kitchen of the detached property in Monks Close, St Stephen’s, early Friday.

A woman and her daughter, who is aged under 16, were rescued from a first floor window by firefighters using a ladder but two Welsh border collie puppies in the kitchen died despite efforts by fire crews to revive them with oxygen and heart massage.

Canterbury fire station watch manager Sheridan Hudson-Peacock said: "There was no smoke alarm in the house. Had there been one we may have got the call earlier and been able to save the puppies.

"We would urge all householders to fit smoke alarms - there is no need for anyone not to have one."

The woman and her daughter were treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation and shock but did not not need to go to hospital. They were taken in by a neighbour.

The alarm was raised at 2.10am.

Mr Peacock said: "When we got there there were two occupants at an upstairs bedroom window and we used a ladder to rescue them.

"Most of the damage was to the ground floor. We forced an entry into the kitchen where the fire was concentrated.

“There were two puppies in the kitchen which unfortunately died despite our efforts to revive them."

The cause of the fire is thought to centre round a pile of clothes left in the kitchen. It is not thought to be suspicious.

Fire crews left the house at 4.50am.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service offers a free service where people can have their property assessed and a smoke alarm fitted - call 0800 9237000