A NEIGHBOUR saved the lives of an elderly couple as a blaze ripped through their home.

A smoke alarm alerted the couple to a fire on the first floor of their Eastleigh home, with thick smoke pouring out.

A neighbour also heard the alarm, causing them to run in to the house in Cranbury Road, and lead the couple to safety.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and were also able to rescue the couple's pets - a dog and some birds.

Three fire crews from Eastleigh and St Mary's were mobilised to a terraced property just before 12:30pm yesterdayand on arrival found a severe and well developed fire in the first floor bedroom.

The fire, which had started in the front bedroom, had spread to the landing and up into the roof space.

Officer in charge of the incident, Group Manager Ty Whitlock said: "Crews did a fantastic job battling the well developed fire and stopped the fire spreading to neighbouring properties.

"The couple were alerted to this severe fire due to the fact that they had a working smoke alarm. It not only alerted them to the situation, but also a neighbour who bravely ran in and helped rescue the couple and led them to safety.

"This incident just shows how effective a working smoke alarm can be."

The aerial ladder platform from St Mary's was also mobilised to help stop fire spreading to neighbouring properties through the roof space.

The upstairs of the property has been completely damaged by fire.

During the incident, firefighters also managed to save the couples pets, including a dog and birds.

One female, aged in her eighties, has been taken to hospital with burns to her hands and head, whilst the neighbour, a male in his late twenties, is also being treated for smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is not yet known but is not thought to be suspicious.

A fire investigation will take place in due course to establish what caused the blaze.