A small pet dog has miraculously survived a blaze that destroyed its owner's home, emerging from the ruins unscathed except for a coating of firefighting foam.
Firefighters responded to a blaze at a home in Singleton, in the NSW Hunter Valley, after flames were spotted just after 6.30am on Thursday.
A female resident managed to escape and was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
Despite efforts by Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Singleton, Branxton, Cessnock, Minmi and Rutherford, the house was consumed by the blaze.
Worried about the risk of collapse, firefighters were dousing hot spots around the house when the appearance of a second survivor shocked crews.
The woman's pet chihuahua, named Black Diamond, trotted from the ruins covered in soot and firefighting foam.
The small, scared dog bit a firefighter who tried to approach and she was treated in hospital for a minor thumb injury.
Crews were eventually able to clean Black Diamond and reunite him with his owner.
The home was destroyed and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
