Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to a house fire in Bexleyheath this morning.
The ground floor of a terraced house in Parkside Avenue was completely gutted and part of the first floor was also damaged by the blaze.
One man was rescued by firefighters after a neighbour alerted the Brigade. Two dogs, which were in a first floor bedroom, sadly died in the fire.
Watch manager Graham Uttley, who was at the scene, said: “If there had been smoke alarms in the property, it would have alerted the occupant to the fire before it got to such an intensity.
“Everyone should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and the safest option is have those linked together.
“This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.”
The Brigade was called at 0320 and the fire was under control at 0458. Crews from Bexley, Erith and Plumstead fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.