Firefighters saved 10 dogs, including a number of puppies, after a fire ripped through a building in Great Yarmouth causing its roof to collapse.

A postman alerted fire crews to the blaze at the tanning shop and flat in Northgate Street at 5.20am today, which at its height saw 48 firefighters attend. 

Several people were able to evacuate the building and one person had to be rescued from the building via a ladder.

Firefighters also entered the burning building to save eight dogs and puppies.

Brandon McHugh, 20, the owner of the dogs had lived in the flat for a year. 

Brandon McHugh, the owner of the dogsBrandon McHugh, the owner of the dogs (Image: Anthony Carroll) He said he was woken up "by the postman screaming and shouting up to me at my bedroom window that the house was on fire".

Mr McHugh was able to escape with two of his dogs but the remaining dogs were trapped in another room.

He said: "Thank you very much to the firemen and the postman for alerting me - I'd just like to say a big massive thank you."

A firefighter administering oxygen to one of the puppiesA firefighter administering oxygen to one of the dogs (Image: Anthony Carroll) At the scene, firefighters could be seen administering emergency first aid via special pet oxygen masks to the tiny, shivering puppies.

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Great Yarmouth fire station manager Chris Harding-Hook said: "Within one of the flats were some puppies and we made entry into the building to rescue those animals.

Fire crews in Norfolk carry special oxygen masks for petsFire crews in Norfolk carry special oxygen masks for pets (Image: Anthony Carroll) "Our crews in Norfolk are equipped with special oxygen masks similar to what a vet would use to administer oxygen and make sure their lungs are clean.

"Our firefighters will do everything they can to save any life and it was deemed safe for them to go in and do so."

Around 20 people were evacuated from the neighbouring buildings for safety precautions. 

The aftermath of the fireThe aftermath of the fire (Image: Anthony Carroll) Mr Harding-Hook thanked The Kings Arms pub for opening its doors in the early hours to provide refuge to those affected, providing them with teas and coffees.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and a multi-agency investigation will take place in due course. 

The station manager added that they were working with partner agencies to conduct an investigation to make sure the area was safe, and as the roof had collapsed, a structural engineer would visit the site to determine whether it was structurally sound.