AN ELDERLY man was rescued from his burning home by firefighers.

Five firefighter crews from Hightown, St Mary's and Botley were called to Bursledon after neighbours raised the alarm.

They forced the front door of the house, in High Street, to rescue the OAP, who has not been named, inside.

The man, who used to live alone in that house, was in a life-threatening condition and was taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze was last night still under investigation.

Jared Colman, 48, managing director, was the first to spot the fire.

He said: “The dog started barking and I saw the flames so I asked my son to call for help and I went to knock at my neighbour’s front door to see if he was ok, but firefighters arrived and rescued him.” 

The fire started at the back of the house and developed up to the roof which has been severely damaged. 

Tony Deacon, group commander for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The fire started in the area around the garage and damaged the roof and the bedroom but there is no damage to the other properties around."

Firefighters carried on with their work to remove the most damaged parts of the roof and make sure that the rest of the building was secure.

"We don't know how long it will take but people can't go back in the house today", Mr Deacon said.

High flames burned up from the roof and the back of the house. 

Rik Armatage, 52, an engineer who lives on Bursledon High Street, said: "We could see the high flames from home and we were worried about the person in there.

"My daughter’s partner called for help."

Fire engines arrived to the scene while the British Red Cross reassured people in the area and provided them with what they needed.