A dog jumping to get to a plastic bowl left on the hob of a cooker led to fire crews being called out to a dark and empty house in Malmesbury after the smoke alarms sounded.

Two crews from Malmesbury and Tetbury fire stations were called out just before 5pm on Wednesday, December 12 to the house in Athelstan Road to find smoke in the hallway and a dog barking inside.

They forced entry to the property and two crewmen wearing breathing apparatus and carrying one hose reel found the ground floor kitchen to be heavily smoke-logged.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The cause of the fire was a plastic dog bowl left on the hob. It is believed the dog accidentally turned on the hob by jumping up to it.

“Fortunately, the fire was out on arrival so crews then ventilated the property.

“The Fire Service would advise it is best not to leave any combustibles on a heat source and always ensure to have working smoke alarms to enable early detection to a fire.”