A MAN has been praised for saving the life of his neighbour after he spotted smoke billowing from the house next door in the early hours of the morning.

His neighbour, who did not have a smoke alarm fitted in his Thornhill home, was asleep inside at the time and it was only thanks to the 999 call that firefighters got there in time to rescue him.

Crews have praised the man for his quick-thinking actions that saved the life of his neighbour and warned that lives can be lost if homes do not have smoke alarms.

The drama unfolded just before 2am yesterday morning, when the man called the emergency services after noticing smoke coming from his neighbour’s semi-detached home in Birch Wood.

Engines from Hightown and St Mary’s fire stations leapt into action to tackle the fire, which had started in a first-floor bedroom.

Firefighters headed inside the house with breathing apparatus and were able to lead the 50-year-old man to safety.

He suffered from smoke inhalation and burns and was taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Fire crews were full of praise for the neighbour who alerted them to the life-threatening situation.

Firefighter Gordon Rodwell, who was in charge of the operation from High Town Fire Station, said: “The man was very fortunate that we managed to get to him in time.

“Because the property had no working smoke alarms we believe the neighbour’s action to call us has probably saved his life.”

Residents woken up by the fire were shocked to look out of their windows to see so many fire engines and flashing lights in their cul-de-sac.

One said: “I was woken up by it and looked outside and thought the aliens had landed because there were so many lights. It’s lucky someone spotted the smoke otherwise it could have been much worse.”

The investigation into the blaze continues but it is believed the most likely cause is smoking materials left in a bedroom.

A spokesperson for the fire services added: “Have a working smoke alarm and be vigilant and careful with smoking materials, and try not to tackle the fire yourself.”