Firefighters rescued a terrified dog from a home in Chalkwell as fire ripped through a first floor bedroom.

Louis, a male Lhasa Apso, was cowering downstairs when Leigh's green watch crews arrived at the detached home in Esplanade Gardens shortly before 2pm yesterday. (Wed)

He was rescued unscathed but shell shocked householder Theresa Pitts, 56, said she was horrified because her three year old grandson Jesse had slept in that bedroom the night before.

Firefighters said the blaze - which started in wiring under the floorboards - could have been smouldering for several days.

"Jesse doesn't often come but he was crying and wanted to come home with me last night," she said.

"We are just shocked really."