SEVERAL dogs were killed in a kitchen fire.

Thirty firefighters were called to tackle the blaze in a detached house in Upper Stoneham, near Lewes, at 10.25am yesterday.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service sent six fire engines from Lewes, Barcombe, Brighton, Newhaven, Uckfield and Heathfield to the cottage.

The property is understood to belong to the owner of a hairdressers based in Lewes.

Firefighters entered the property wearing breathing masks and used hoses to tackle the blaze.

The fire service confirmed that all of the occupants had been accounted for but several family pets were killed.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the family, who had recently extended the house, had lost seven dogs in the blaze.

The neighbour added that the family were devastated by what had happened.

After putting out the blaze, firefighters spent much of yesterday damping down the house as well as checking the roof space.

Fire investigators attended to try to find out the cause of the blaze.

A fire service spokeswoman said: “The fire began in the kitchen and was accidental.

“We can confirm family pets were lost in the incident, which has left the family understandably upset.”

Police officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics also attended.