A woman lost almost all her belongings when she was called away from work to find her house had been filling with smoke for six hours with her dog inside.

Alison Wheeler, a friend and neighbour who has taken in Joanna Rand, in her 60s, and Molly, an Irish terrier, until February, said: "A passerby saw the smoke coming out the windows at the front of the house. A little while later after the fire brigade arrived the chap she engages to walk the dog, Pete, said 'there's a dog in there, there's a dog'."

They think fire in Hurst Road, East Molesey, may have started because Ms Rand had left an old radio on to keep the dog company on the afternoon of Thursday, January 8.

Ms Wheeler, who met Ms Rand while both walked their dogs on the same route, said: "The fire started in the downstairs living room and burned through the floor. In order to put the fire out they had to kick the ceiling down from above."

Molly is home and recovering well, but Ms Rand has run up a large bill and does not have pet insurance. Molesey Veterinary Service said the cost of Molly's treatment would be refunded and Ms Rand was invited to choose a new dog bed.

Some items are being donated by generous friends and strangers, but more would be welcomed because most of her belongings were lost in the fire.

Ms Wheeler said she was heartened by the response, and added: "She's got some help but not really as much as she needs. She's no shoes, she's lost all her clothes."

Anyone with spare clothes of about a size 14, shoes of size 6.5 or furniture can get in touch with Ms Wheeler on mezzowheels@hotmail.com.