Firefighters have urged people to donate to an appeal that provides oxygen masks for animals after three pet dogs were rescued from a house fire in Kirkby.

Not-for-profit organisation Smokey Paws has donated more than 2,000 sets of masks to UK fire and rescue services, including Nottinghamshire.

It aims to provide pet oxygen masks to every fire engine in the UK.

The masks saved the lives of three dogs in a house fire in Kirkby.

A woman and the three pets were saved by firefighters from the blaze, which started because of an electrical fault in a microwave at the property on Festus Street.

A 52-year-old woman had become trapped by smoke was rescued by firefighters through a bathroom window and treated by East Midlands Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation.

The three dogs were also rescued, with Smokey Paws specialised animal oxygen masks, used to give immediate first aid to the animals.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service group Manager Phil Revill said: “The quick actions of crews helped to save four lives on this day, and we wish them all the best in their recovery.

“Pet oxygen masks from Smokey Paws are funded through donations and save animals’ lives, so if you can contribute towards this lifesaving equipment this would be a great help to us.”

To donate to Smokey Paws go to gofundme.com/f/smokey-paws-pet-oxygen-masks-paws-for-breath-campaign

An appeal spokesman said: “We need your help to raise £90,000 to provide every fire engine in the UK with pet oxygen masks, which save more than 22,000 animals per year in the USA.

“So far, in just three years, our not-for-profit organisation Smokey Paws has donated more than 2,000 sets of masks to UK fire services, helping to save countless lives, but there are still more than 900 fire engines across the country that desperately need a set of masks.”

The appeal has so far raised more than £20,000 towards its £90,000 target.