LOCAL firefighters are commending the action of an off-duty police officer who risked life and limb on Saturday to rescue a 50-year-old Four Marks woman from a blazing flat.

According to leading firefighter Barry Alderslade, the woman probably owes her life to the officer who broke into the first floor apartment and pulled her to safety

The police officer was assisted in his life-saving mission by two civilians and it was team work, he said, which enabled him to rescue the woman.

The drama unfolded at around 6 pm in a flat above Bessbury's Bakery at the Oak Green shopping parade on the A31 at Four Marks.

Guildford-based Inspector David Kelley was in the neighbouring fish and chip shop when someone raised the alarm and "all hell broke loose".

"Smoke was billowing out of an upstairs window of the flat above Bessbury's Bakery and it was feared there was someone in there," he said.

David Kelley hot-footed it round to the bakery, accompanied by manager of the Tall Ship fish and chip shop, Geoff Harvey, who left hasty instructions with staff to ring the fire brigade.

The pair were joined by another young man and together they tried to get into the flat from the first-floor balcony.

"We banged on the door and shouted but there didn't appear to be anyone inside the flat which was full of black smoke," said Insp Kelley.

Unable to gain access or to hear anyone inside the property, the team returned to the fish and chip shop to wait for the fire brigade, only to be alerted a second time by a neighbour who earlier that day had heard arguing from the now fire-stricken flat and thought someone might be trapped inside.

This time they broke a rear window, letting out waves of black acrid smoke and the sound of coughing.

David Kelley went in, shouting as he did so to the person inside.

"I got down on my hands and knees, calling to her to follow my voice," said the officer.

Eventually the woman managed to crawl towards him and was pulled to safety through the window by her rescue team.

"She was in a bad state. Her face was blackened and she was having difficulty breathing, she had taken in a lot of smoke," said Insp Kelley, who is reluctant to be seen as a hero.

"It was one of those things that happens very rarely and you do what you have to do - anyone would do the same given the circumstances. But with my safety head on I would not recommend it.

"Having been in the force for 18 years I am used to dealing with spontaneous situations and am aware of my own safety and making sure there is someone looking out for me. This was a team effort - I was the one who went into the building but I wouldn't have done so without support on the outside."

Fire crews, which arrived at the scene shortly after the woman had been hauled to safety, have nothing but praise for the rescuing team who, said leading firefighter Barry Alderslade, deserve an award.

According to Mr Alderslade, the fire crews - two from Alton and one from Alresford - were called to the Oak Green shopping parade at 6-03 pm on Saturday to attend a fire in the flat above Bessbury's Bakery.

An aerial platform also arrived from Basingstoke but was not needed.

"There was smoke billowing from an upstairs window, the woman had already been rescued but we had reason to believe that there was still someone left in the building," said Mr Alderslade.

A team of firefighters equipped with a hose reel, breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera, were sent into the property through the front window.

"They searched the building thoroughly using the camera and managed to extinguish the flames," said Mr Alderslade who confirmed that the fire, which was thought to have started in the bathroom, had spread up into the roof space.

"The flat is completely wrecked but it has not affected the properties either side, nor did it spread to the bakery below," said the fireman, who will be recommending the police officer for a bravery medal.

"Looking at the state of him with black round his nostrils, he must have inhaled a lot of smoke and certainly put himself at a great deal of personal risk to rescue the woman from her flat."

It took some two hours for the fire crews to get the blaze under control and they finally left the scene at just after 8 pm.

Following the Four Marks fire Alton CID are anxious to trace the youth who helped pull the woman out of the fire. Detective Constable Dan Hope is appealing to the man, known only as Pez, to make contact so detectives can obtain a statement from him. They also need to hear from anyone who can identify Pez.

Police have also arrested a 50-year old woman on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The woman has been bailed, pending further inquiries, until November.

Anyone with any information regarding the Four Marks fire is asked to contact Dc Hope on 0845 045 4545

• A spokesman for Bessbury's Bakery has confirmed that there was no damage at all to the property and that the bakery is trading as normal.