An elderly womanand her pet shih tzu dog were rescued when flames ripped through her blazing bungalow.

Neighbours leapt to the aid of 83-year-old Eileen Rose as smoke billowed out of the roof of detached building in Bell Farm Lane, Minster, on Monday morning.

Son-in-law Bob Crompton, 56, who lives in a caravan next door with his wife, was one of the first on the scene.

He said: "Our neighbours Mick and Dave raised the alarm when they saw the smoke.

"My mother-in-law was already in the garden but her hair was singed and her hands were burnt.

"I had to restrain her because she was trying to get back in the burning bungalow to save her dog Sasha."

One neighbour broke down the front door while Mr Crompton grabbed a chair and smashed a bedroom window to let the toxic smoke out.

But he said: "There was too much smoke for me to go inside."

His wife Gillian said: "The fire brigade was wonderful. They were here within minutes.

"As soon as we told them my mother's dog was still inside they went straight in with their breathing apparatus and rescued Sasha who was hiding under the bed.

"They were absolutely fabulous. I can't praise them enough."

Firefighters gave the terrified dog oxygen before handing it over to K9 pet services which took Sasha away for a bath.

At the height of the blaze, neighbours were told to close their windows and doors because of the smoke.

Firefighters used two main jets, two hose reel jets and water from a hydrant to put the fire out.

Mrs Rose, who had lived there since 1978, was treated at Medway Maritime Hospital for smoke inhalation and burns to one of her hands.

Mr Crompton said: "She will be shocked when she sees her home."

The 1935 timber and asbestos bungalow was destroyed by the blaze. The cause of the fire is unknown but it is believed to have been started accidentally.

Mr Crompton said: "It is ironic that it survived a world war and the Luftwaffe."

Firefighters were there for three hours.