A MAN was today fighting for his life after firefighters dragged him from a burning flat in Townwall Street, Dover.

A woman had noticed smoke pouring out of the second floor flat above the JG Amusement Arcade, soon after 9pm last night and called the fire brigade.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus found the 47-year-old man, apparently dead, in a living room in which a small fire was burning and applied artificial respiration and oxygen.

Sub Officer Alf Gardner said: "There wasn't much smoke issuing so we're very grateful to this anonymous caller - she was very observant.

"The crews, from Dover and Whitfield, also found a large dog in the room which appeared to be dead. When it was all over, the dog got up and just walked out - at first we had thought it had died but it had kept low to the ground, survived and the police took it away."

Police are not treating the fire as suspicious and it is thought the man, who has not yet been named, may have been homeless.

He was taken to William Harvey Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation where his condition was described as "serious and life-threatening"