SYDNEY - A PET rabbit in Australia was credited with saving its owners on Thursday after scratching at the door of their bedroom as their home burned, emergency workers said.

The couple were in their bedroom of their Melbourne home on Thursday morning when the pet, named simply 'Rabbit', began scratching at the door prompting the husband to investigate, Metropolitan Fire Brigade commander Mick Swift said.

He said the man discovered a fire in the back room with smoke spreading through the house and the couple could have been seriously injured if the bunny had not hopped to the rescue.

He said it took four fire crews to extinguish the blaze, which caused substantial damage. The rabbit and its owners were unhurt. -- AFP