Quick-thinking neighbours grabbed garden hoses to stop a house fire from spreading.

A blaze broke out in the conservatory of a house in Admers Wood, Vigo, just before midnight on Monday, after a tumble dryer is thought to have caught alight.

Neighbours on both sides of the terraced home grabbed garden hoses and tackled the flames before fire crews arrived.

Toni Gager, 42, who lives next door, said: “The flames were as high as the first floor windows and the wind was blowing the fire towards our house.”

Her husband Colin was the first to smell the smoke and initially thought it was his 16-year-old son, Alexander, smoking in his room.

When he realised what was actually happening, he acted fast and used the hose pipe in his garden to help put out the fire.

Colin, 72, a senior contract manager with construction company Mulalley, said: “It was at about 11.45pm when I noticed it.

“My son called the fire brigade while I got the hose and put water on it until it died down.

“The fire crews on the phone were telling us to get out of the house but I kept pouring water on the flames.

“There were two dogs in the house as well as my neighbour Bob George. I was worried he’d be hurt by the smoke.”

Oliver Aldridge, 18 – who lives the other side of Bob, with his mum Nathalie and sister Hannah, 16 – also helped.

He said: “I was in the front room when I smelt that something was burning.

“I went into the back garden too and helped hose down the fire.

“It was out about five to 10 minutes before the fire crews arrived and they then took out all the electrical equipment.”

Colin said: “Together we had put it out by the time the fire crews got there.

“It’s a timely reminder of the dangers of keeping electrical appliances working while you’re out of the house.

“I’m so thankful Bob managed to get out and I think we did a good job all round.”

Bob lives in Admers Wood with his sister Annie and her future husband, Warren.

David Aylwin, crew manager for Thames-side station said the neighbours had done a good job.

He added: “The fire burnt through the roof of the conservatory. We suspect it was caused by a tumble dryer.

“About 50% of the conservatory and its contents were destroyed.”

No one was injured.