A FATHER is in intensive care tonight after he suffered severe smoke inhalation and burns to his face in a fire at his Newport home.

Terry Fowler's condition was described as stable following the accidental fire at his home on Llanwern Street, Maindee.

Mr Fowler suffered the injuries after lighting a smoke bomb in an upstairs bedroom. It is believed he was trying to smoke out a rodent which had been eating through the plasterboards.

The Fire Service said the smoke bomb fell onto clothing, causing the blaze.

The 66-year-old was pulled from the building by a neighbour after attempting to fight the fire himself.

Witnesses said the flames reached the ceiling of the bedroom, which was completely gutted. Neighbours ran to Mr Fowler's aid after seeing smoke billowing from an upstairs window.

Neighbour Marcel Marenghi, who helped remove the reluctant Mr Fowler from the building, said: "Terry was desperately trying to cope with the fire himself.

"He was carrying basins of water up to the bedroom and had already singed his beard and hair.

"I dragged him out and waited with him until the paramedics were there.

"If I hadn't, I think he would have tried to cope alone and he would've collapsed. I don't think he realised how much smoke he'd inhaled."

Mr Fowler's son Ryan, 19, arrived home as the drama unfolded around 4.30pm on Thursdy.

He carried the family's two dogs and 10 budgies to safety as his father was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Fire crews put the blaze out and spent around two hours securing the building. Charred debris, including a matress from the gutted room, lay outside the home as firefighters ensured the house was safe.