Dogs looking for cupcakes start house fire

The dogs were rescued from the property after they turned the gas hob on

Two dogs accidentally started a house fire after turning on a gas hob while trying to "have a sneaky smell of some delicious, freshly baked cupcakes".

The dogs were home alone in Yeovil, Somerset, and are believed to have jumped up in the kitchen to investigate the baked goods.

But in doing so, the pair managed to switched on the hob, which ignited a tea towel. The alarm was raised when a neighbour heard the smoke alarm and saw "thick smoke" coming from the house.

Fire crews arrived in five minutes to find "a small but progressive fire" which was quickly put out and the dogs removed safely from the house, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.

In a Facebook post by Yeovil Fire Station, the service said the fire has left the building with smoke damage, but no one was injured and the dogs were treated with pet oxygen masks.

"Crews donned breathing apparatus forced entry into the property, located the dogs using a thermal imaging camera and rescued them to a place of safety," it said.

The service urged people to check fire alarms were working and added: "Our animal friends can be responsible for accidents involving fire, prevent them from getting into areas or close proximity where fire can become a risk to your home."