FIREFIGHTERS rescued a dog and two budgerigars from a burning house in Gillingham over the weekend. The crew, from Medway Fire Station, were called to the house in Bonnington Green, Twydall, when smoke was reported to be billowing out of a conservatory.

When they arrived at the scene, just after 5pm on Saturday, they discovered it was a house extension which was ablaze. With flames and smoke shrouding the extension, the crew had to wear breathing apparatus before tackling the blaze.

Firefighter Tommy Sladden said: "They went inside to put the flames out and, once inside, they had to go up into the loft to open the window and let the smoke out.

"They had to do this so they could see what the situation was, otherwise the fire could have spread to the rest of the house."

The crew also had to remove and cool down a gas cylinder sitting near the flames and in danger exploding.

But while the firefighters were tackling the blaze, Sub Officer Steve Glass made his way into the house and rescued a trapped Yorkshire terrier dog and two budgerigars.

He said: "I went past the other crew and suddenly saw something move. I realised it was a dog so I picked it up and handed it to one of the blokes outside.

The inside of the extension was completely destroyed and the ground floor of the house suffered bad smoke damage.

An investigation is under way to find out what caused the fire.