Some five puppies were rescued from a blaze which killed their father after a house was engulfed in flames in Catford.

The house in Farley Road, which was being converted into flats, caught fire shortly before 11am yesterday morning (March 3).

A total of five 15-month-old bullmastiff puppies were rescued from the inferno and were revived by fire fighters using oxygen masks. 

RSCPA inspector Anthony Pulfer added the canines were 'covered in soot'. 

Sadly their father was overcome by smoke and died.

MORE TOP STORIES Mr Pulfer said: "I did an initial check of the five puppies and they were all black with soot and we believe they were suffering from smoke inhalation but otherwise they were in good condition - especially considering what they had been through.

"Myself and two of my colleagues then transported them to the PDSA Hospital in New Cross for treatment."

A total of 21 fire fighters, with four fire engines, battled the blaze which took them more than two hours to bring under control. 

The ground floor flat was badly damaged in the fire. 

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Crews from Lewisham, Dockhead and Beckenham attended the scene.