Fire crews in a California county were faced with an unexpected challenge when they had to rescue 70 dogs and several cats from a house fire.

Rescuers were reportedly stunned when they found only three people and as many as 70 Pomeranians needed saving when the garage caught fire.

The incident, which took place in Contra Costa County, in the US state of California on 17th January, started when the blaze began spreading upstairs from the garage.

Helmet-shot footage shows first responders had to force their way inside the house by sawing off part of the garage door.

They used that cutaway to work the water hose inside and douse the violent flames.

Only one of three residents had to receive medical treatment due to smoke inhalation.

The fire department indicated that apart from the heavy fuel loading and difficult paths of travel inside the home, one of the biggest challenges was rescuing all the pets.

Contra Costa County Fire Spokesperson Steve Hil told local media: “When we went in the house to attack the fire, firefighters started encountering more and more dogs. Ultimately they carried out dozens and dozens of dogs.”

The residents were keeping the dogs at home for a breeder, it later emerged.

Thankfully, with the help of animal control and local neighbours, all the animals were safely removed from the burning house.

An initial investigation had reportedly determined the fire was not suspicious in nature.

But the extensive smoke and water damage had reportedly destroyed the home, making it uninhabitable.