AN Andover woman would like to buy a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine for the man who raised the alarm and saved her mother's house when it caught fire.

Angela Smillie, aged 22, lives with her mother and brother in Altona Gardens on Saxon Fields. But all three were out when an electrical fault caused a television in the garage to catch alight.

The blaze melted about 300 DVDs causing fumes which were highly toxic and which penetrated into the house.

A passer-by spotted the smoke somewhere in Saxon Fields and approached the area to find out the cause.

As soon as he realised it was a house fire he called the fire service which tackled the blaze and saved the rest of the house.

Miss Smillie believes the house would have been destroyed but for the actions of the shy hero.

"I would like to thank him and buy him a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine," she said.

The fire caused £6,000 damage and the family have been living in bed and breakfast accommodation, although they were hoping to move back home by the end of this week.

If the man who raised the alarm phones the Andover Advertiser on 01264 321205 and we will contact Miss Smillie.