Zach Tobin was cycling along Alexandra Street shortly after 1pm Tuesday when he heard a smoke alarm.

He slowed down and saw flames billowing from a home.

Some council workers also stopped and called 000 and Mr Tobin said he went to check if anyone was inside the residence.

"I banged on the front door and called out to see if there was anyone," the 28-year-old said. "No one was responding.

"I went around the side and couldn't get in because of the flames, then I went around the back and saw a woman.

"She was disorientated, and when I finally engaged with her I asked if anyone else was inside, she said 'just the dog'."

Having recently adopted a pooch himself, Mr Tobin said he felt compelled to go in to rescue the dog from the inferno.

"Both my parents were volunteer firefighters and dad was a builder, so I knew the building was okay," he said.

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Mr Tobin said the dog had run into the loungeroom and hid on a dog bed. It was then he said he saw two gas bottles.

"One was pouring out flames," he said.

He managed to grab the dog and walked the woman out with the help of the council worker.

Mr Tobin said he gave the dog to the woman but she dropped the pet and it ran back inside.

"I had to go back in knowing full well the risk of those gas bottles exploding," Mr Tobin said.

"It went into the bathroom which was full of smoke. I threw my shirt over face and held my hand over my mouth while I got the dog. The dog panicked and bit me, so I wrapped it in my shirt and ran out."

Mr Tobin said he held the resident's hand while they waited for emergency services. Fire and Rescue NSW crews soon arrived and extinguished the blaze.

Hunter Valley Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer described the actions of the bystanders as "heroic", saying they saved the lives of the woman and her dog.

Mr Tobin said his actions came from pure adrenaline.

"It was a pretty intense thing," he said.

"I didn't see it as heroic, just the right thing to do.

"I wouldn't have done anything else. I wanted to make sure everyone was safe."

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire, which remain under investigation.

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