Firefighters from two counties have spent the afternoon battling a serious house fire in Rowledge with a man being taken to hospital.

And a villager may have become a potential lifesaver as the owner of the flaming Meadow Way property was alerted by a neighbour who made the emergency call.

Crews from Surrey and Hampshire Fire & Rescue were sent to the village after neighbours noticed a large amount of smoke coming from a house.

Alan Cracknell made the call to 999 at around 1.05pm as he attempted to get the attention of the property’s owner and his dog.

Neighbours confirmed all occupants had made it out the building safely with assistance of the fire brigade.

The dog was unharmed and is being cared for by neighbours, while Surrey Police and the British Red Cross were also at the scene to support the fire services.

One person was taken to hospital to have their injuries checked while at 3.15pm firefighters were still hosing down the remnants of the roof.

Four fire engines and a water carrier from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene, in addition to three appliances from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.