A PET bird had to be rescued when a fire broke out at a Hampshire home.

The animal was carried to safety by firefighters from a semi detached house in Richlans Road, Hedge End.

The firebroke out shortly before 7pm when a middle-aged couple living there went out and left a pan burning on the kitchen hob.

Neighbours raised the alarm after hearing smoke alarms ringing and spotting smoke billowing from the windows.

Crews from Hightown fire station forced their way through an upstairs window to gain access.

They rescued the bird from its cage and used hose reels to put out the flames.

There was little damage but the room was severely smoke logged.

The couple arrived while firefighters were still there.

Crew manager Adam Brown said the bird had survived and did not need treatment from a vet.

He added: “They were lucky the neighbours heard the smoke alarms as it had the potential to be a lot more of a problem.

“It shows the value of smoke detectors and we urge people not to leave stuff on the hob.”