A DOG helped raise the alarm and save a mother and daughter from a house fire.

Firefighters rescued the mum and child from the first floor of their home after a fire started in their living room.

But it was thanks to the family's dog that they were rescued at all.

Firefighters carried the little girl from the window of her home in Compton Place, Erith, at about midnight last night.

She was suffering shock and smoke inhalation and was put on oxygen.

A crew then broke through the front door to put out the fire and rescue the mother via the stairs. Both were taken to hospital.

Despite the dog's intervention, firefighters from Erith said the family would have been able to escape themselves had the two smoke alarms installed been working.

The cause of fire is still being investigated, but is thought to be accidental.