Dogs living either side of a woman whose kitchen was ablaze with her trapped inside, helped save her life by waking their owners.

A 50-year-old woman was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson, endangering life, after being treated for smoke inhalation.

She was rescued after labrador Luis and Zamba, a cross breed, are believed to have been alerted by a dog living in the Shotley home of the woman and raised the alarm.

Louis's owner John and Zamba's owner, who has asked not to be identified, went to investigate saw and smelled the smoke and smashed front door pane to get into the house in Kingsland.

The two then dragged the woman to safety until fire crews, police and an ambulance arrived to deal with the fire, in the early hours of last Thursday.

JohnBrundle who has recently moved to Kingsland from Shotley Gate said: "It was about 1am and Louis started barking, which he never usually does at night unless there is something wrong. I could also hear other dogs barking and thought something was going on and needed investigating.

"I went out and saw another neighbour and we both saw smoke come from a house in the middle. He picked up a slab and used that to get into the front door. By then it was thick acrid smoke and we shouted if anyone was in, We went upstairs first, but then came down and found the lady in the kitchen and quickly got her out."

The other man said: "It was down to the dogs really, then it was just a case of doing a good deed for a neighbour."

Crews from Holbrook Ipswich East, and Princes Street were called at 1.10am and spent nearly an hour at the scene.

"Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire semi-detached property in Kingsland in Shotley in the early hours of the morning on Friday," a spokesman said. "The fire, which started in the kitchen, we extinguished by the attending crews with all persons accounted for. An individual was treated for smoke inhalation and left in the care of the ambulance service."

A Suffolk police spokesperson said: "A 50-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson endangering life and was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. The woman was later released under investigation pending further enquiries."