BRAVE relatives defied fire and toxic smoke to rescue a Hampshire dad from his burning bedroom, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Anthony Wells is believed to have started the blaze when he fell asleep while smoking in bed.

His terrified wife Lorna and nephew Lee, who were both awoken by a fire alarm, rushed upstairs before dragging the 43-year-old to safety as flames engulfed his mattress and his room filled with thick smoke.

Mrs Wells said: "I thought he was going to die. I was absolutely petrified - it was a nightmare scenario really, but instinct took over and we just went in all guns blazing.

"I was sleeping in my son Aaron's room as he was having nightmares that night. Then I heard the fire alarm.

"The first thing I did was to get Aaron out of the house - he was the priority. Then we went upstairs to get my husband.

"The flames were all around the bed. We could not really see anything, but we just had to get him out.

"I think he would have died if he had been up there any longer."

Fire crews from Hardley and Beaulieu tackled the blaze in Heather Road, Blackfield, at about 1.30am yesterday.

The fire caused extensive damage to the first floor bedroom and landing while a number of items of furniture were destroyed.

Miraculously Mr Wells, who remembers little of the ordeal, avoided major injury and was treated for smoke inhalation outside the house. He says he had not woken up instantly as he was on heavy medication at the time.

He said: "I just fell asleep and that was it - I could not tell you how I got out.

"Somebody must be looking out for me. Without smoke alarms and these good people I would not be standing here today."

Incident commander, station manager Dave Brown, said it was essential homes were fitted with working smoke detectors. He said: "This incident highlights the importance of every household in the county having an operational smoke alarm and ensuring that they are in good working order."

n To arrange a free home fire safety visit contact the community safety department at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on 023 8062 6809.