Firefighters were called to an address in Firfield Road on Tuesday afternoon after a passer-by noticed smoke coming from a window.
On arrival, the crews from Colchester and Coggeshall found a “significant fire” on the ground floor of the property, which is believed to have started in the kitchen.
According to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the entire home was filled with smoke and started spreading to the neighbouring property.
The firefighters acted quickly to bring the fire under control and ventilate both properties, preventing further damage.
Sadly, the family dog of the home did not survive the incident and the house has been significantly damaged.
Station Manager Russ Freeman said: “This is a devastating incident, with two people now displaced from their home and the loss of two beloved pets. Our thoughts are with the residents during this difficult time.
“We share details of incidents like this to help raise awareness and provide safety advice that could prevent similar situations.”
The rescue service advises people to install and check smoking alarms on every level of their home, to keep internal doors closed and to always switch of electrical appliances completely after use, to reduce the risk of a fire spreading.