A DOG lover and her eight pets were "extraordinarily lucky" to escape a serious house fire in Verwood.

Jill Sanford was in the bath when a candle set fire to a wicker table in her living room just before 11pm on New Year's Eve.

She tried to get the dogs out of her house in Oaklands Close and firefighters had to lead her outside for her own safety.

Watch manager David Hockaday from Verwood fire station said: "Some of the dogs were in the kitchen and some were upstairs.

"Some of them were running back into the house. They do tend to go towards a place of safety."

Ms Sanford was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Her dogs are all believed to be unharmed and a neighbour said they included whippets and English setters.

The fire destroyed 50 per cent of the living room. Smoke damaged 100 per cent of the same room and 50 per cent of the rest of the house.

Neighbour John Annakin, 78, a retired engineer, said: "There was smoke pouring out of the front door as the firemen were coming in and out."

Mr Hockaday said: "She was extraordinarily lucky. If she had stayed upstairs any longer I don't think she could have got out the house without our assistance.

And he warned: "Candles should never be left unattended."

Yesterday morning the house's front garden was littered with half-burned postcards of dogs, and dog show certificates.

A female relative arrived with Ms Sanford to inspect the damage. She said Ms Sanford did not want to comment because she had "been through a lot".