A dog was killed in a blaze that broke out on a flat yesterday.

The blaze happened at St Michael's Street, Folkestone, and fire crews found the body in the living room.

The horrified owners, who had been out at the time, only discovered what had happened when they returned home to find firefighters at the scene.

Folkestone Fire Station crew manager Giles Parker said: "The dog was found in the living room, where the main fire was.

"The owners, a man and a woman, were out at the time and it was the neighbours who had called us when smoke was seen coming from the top window.

"The owners turned up while we were still there and they were distraught."

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus were called to the incident at about 5pm.

The living room was completely damaged by fire and smoke.

The blaze was mainly confined there but also began to go through the floor to reach the flat below.

Crews stopped it spreading further but smoke damage was also caused to the entire flat.

Mr Parker said: "The doors inside the flat had been left open. We would advise people to keep their doors shut so that a fire can be contained within one place."

Two fire engines were called from the Folkestone station and crews were at the scene for two-and-half hours.

The dog was believed to be a west highland terrier.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.