A RABBIT and a dog are among the pets responsible for starting house fires across the North-East.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have issued a warning to pet owners following a number of house fires caused by animals.

In the last week, firefighters have battled blazes caused by troublesome Teesside pets.

On Wednesday, a pet rabbit started a kitchen fire by chewing through the flex of a tumble drier at a property in Stockton, causing damage to the machine.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a Middlesbrough dog accidentally turned on a cooker ring and ignited a bag of rubbish left on top of the hob.

In both cases, smoke alarms alerted the householders to the fires and enabled them to flee their homes uninjured.

The dog was rescued by firefighters and given oxygen but the fate of the rabbit is unknown.

Since April 2016, Cleveland Fire Brigade have responded to five other fires that were started by pets.

Other fires were started by a dog that knocked over a lit candle, setting a mat alight, while another pet pooch was blamed for knocking over an ashtray containing lit cigarettes.

Phil Lancaster, Director of Community Protection for Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “Calls to house fires which have been started by pets are not unusual and we would urge all pet owners to be vigilant about where their animals are in the home.

“Taking simple precautions such as not letting animals near electrical appliances or candles and ensuring nothing flammable such as rubbish, paper, tea towels or clothing is left on or near the cooker can help prevent what could be a devastating or even tragic fire.

“These householders have been very lucky and it’s thanks to their working smoke alarms that they were alerted to the fires in time.

“We urge all residents to make sure they have smoke alarms fitted in their homes and test them weekly to check they are working correctly.”