A house fire, believed to have been caused by the reflection of sunlight off a makeup mirror, has claimed the lives of two cherished pet dogs in North Canterbury.

Multiple fire and emergency appliances were called to Two Chain Road in Swannanoa on Wednesday afternoon, after a neighbour spotted smoke billowing from the house, which sits on a lifestyle property.

Property owner Julia MacDonald had rented out the house to her friend Louise. Julia recounted the heartbreaking moment she received the call about the fire.

“My neighbour called to say the house was on fire. I raced home to find firefighters performing CPR on one of Louise’s dogs. I tried to do CPR on the other dog with my neighbour, but sadly both dogs didn’t make it” she said.

7-year-old Black and white toy poodle cross shitz Bel and black 6-year-old shitzu cross Pomeranian Beau were much loved pets.

“They were my best friends. They got me out of bed this past year” Louise said, following an already traumatic personal year.

Firefighters told Julia that while they were still investigating the blaze, it was likely caused by a magnified make up mirror, which had reflected sunlight onto the couch, igniting it.

Louise and her daughter, who were staying at the property, are now staying with friends in Christchurch.

A Givealittle page has been set up to help them recover from this devastating loss.

Julia expressed deep sorrow for her friend’s loss. “While it’s sad about the house, I just feel for Louise, who’s lost her babies, her beloved two dogs,”

Julia said. “We can fix a house, but we can’t bring her dogs back.”