TWO cats were dramatically rescued from a burning home by firefighters.

The animals became stranded when a blaze ripped through the front room of a terraced house in Eastleigh.

The fire broke out in the ground floor of a property in Bellevue Road while the owner was out.

Crews of 13 firefighters from Eastleigh and St Mary's stations arrived to tackle the flames which had taken hold shortly after 9.30pm last night.

A second fire engine had to be called immediately afterwards due to the severity of the flames.

Two crewmembers in breathing apparatus pulled the cats to safety before giving them oxygen therapy outside.

Meanwhile colleagues used a hose reel and a water jet to put out the flames.

It is not yet known what caused the blaze.