A quick-acting tradie has saved a dog from a fire which destroyed a house on the Gold Coast this afternoon just weeks before Christmas.

Garry Webber was working across the road from the home on KP McGrath Drive in Elanora when the fierce blaze began about 1pm AEST.

A woman and two of her dogs managed to escape from the home but a third was trapped in the basement.

Mr Webber was able to rescue the dog, named Panda, from the basement but the fire destroyed the home despite the arrival of five fire fighting crews.

"She said my dog's in the basement, so I had to go down in the basement and get the dog out," Mr Webber said.

"It was all flames, there was a lot of heat."

The roof of the home collapsed as the blaze took hold. (Choppercam)

Smoke from the fire could be seen from across the Gold Coast region, as north as Surfers Paradise. (Choppercam)

Panda's owner was tearfully reunited with the pet outside the home.

The blaze spread to a neighbouring home but fire crews were able to stop any further damage.

Smoke from the fire could be seen as far away as Surfers Paradise.

Fire investigators will work to determine the cause of the fire.