FIRE CREWS searching for an elderly woman in a blaze in Chandler’s Ford managed to save her much-loved dog.

The firefighters smashed their way into the Hiltingbury home to search for the lady.

They discovered she had gone out but her white West Highland terrier was found whimpering under a chair in her smoke-filled living room.

After carrying the small dog to safety they put out the kitchen fire and spoke to neighbours who said the woman had been picked up by friends early that night.

The call came in at 7.30pm on Monday (August 31) and nine firemen attended.

Watch manager Graham Tatner told the Hampshire Chronicle: “We believe the lady went out and left something on the stove cooking.

“We would urge everyone to double check cookers and other equipment are turned off before they go out.

“The good news is that her fire alarm worked and that was what roused the neighbours who contacted us.”

The house was full of smoke but the crews managed to contain the fire in the kitchen.

The lady, who is thought to be in her 80s and wished to remain anonymous, praised the fire service for their heroism.

She said: “That little dog is the light of my life.

“I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to her.”