A hybernating tortoise rescued from a garage blaze last night has been nicknamed Smoky as its shell was actually smoking when firefighters got to it.

The tortoise was rudely awakened after months of sleep by up to 10 fire fighters who raced to the property and trampled their way in to put out the blaze.

They were shocked to discover the little guy hiding in amongst some plants in a garage in Sandbourne Avenue, Wimbledon.

Having brought it out safely, the fire fighters sprayed water on the shell because it was smoking but did not need to give it oxygen.

The crews involved joked that they will now be put forward for bravery awards for saving its life.

A firefighter from Mitcham station said: "We went in and didn’t know there was a tortoise in there until someone said ‘there’s a tortoise!’

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"It was lucky it wasn’t squashed - a few guys went in with breathing apparatus on.

"It made a lucky escape.

"It looked like a plant pot."

Fire crews said the small fire in a garage to the side of the house was caused by a fault in an infra-red heat lamp used to keep the tortoise warm at night.

Smoky was checked over by fire fighters and given to a next door neighbour to look after because it is believed the home-owners were away.

It is believed the dazed pet will be taken to a vets for a check-up today.

Ten fire fighters from Mitcham and Wimbledon stations went to Sandbourne Avenue at 8.45pm where they put out the small fire.

The fire was contained to the garage and nobody else was hurt.