A couple have spoken of their horror after fleeing their burning family home.

Crews took over an hour to extinguish the blaze, which is believed to have been caused by a fault in the dishwasher.

The incident has prompted a warning from Kent Fire and Rescue Service for people to switch off all electrical appliances before going to bed.

James and Steph explained they went to bed at 11.30pm on Monday, leaving their dishwasher on as usual and their pet dog Maggie in the kitchen.

James said: "Shortly after, our 16 year-old son noticed that the internet had gone off, so he went downstairs to investigate and smelt smoke so he shouted up to the rest of us.

"As we came down I opened the kitchen door, saw the dishwasher on fire and the room was full of smoke but I couldn’t see Maggie, so assumed she had bolted out of the house."

Steph said: "It was then we realised that Maggie was still inside and I was desperately worried."

Before the two fire engines arrived, James made several attempts to return to the house and find the dog, despite thick black smoke making it nearly impossible for him to see and breathe.

Eventually Maggie came to him after he called her name from the hallway.

Both were given oxygen therapy by firefighters after suffering smoke inhalation.

Steph said: "The fire service was amazingly quick, and they arrived on the scene within minutes and were so reassuring and helpful."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service took a video showing the damage caused by the fire.

Crew manager Wayne Burney said: "Maggie was conscious but lethargic after taking in so much smoke but we were able to use our special pet oxygen mask, donated only a few weeks ago, to help revive the brave little dog fully.

"In no time she was acting normally and it was great to see the benefits of the new kit help revive Maggie so quickly."

Firefighters have now issued a four-point safety plan for families this New Year.

People are advised to have working smoke alarms and test them regularly and to switch off all electrical appliances before going to bed.

They are also warned to close all internal doors before going to bed to limit the damage a fire can cause and to make sure a fire escape plan is in place which all family members are aware of.