NEIGHBOURS ran into a burning home earlier today to rescue an elderly couple after their roof caught fire in Tutts Clump.

Tim Wale and his daughter swooped into the house on Bishop's Road after they spotted billowing smoke pouring from the roof.

By the time fire crews arrived at the scene at around 5pm today, the roof was "well alight".

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the roof, but the rest of the property appears to be heavily water damaged, neighbours said.

Mr Wale, of Tutts Clump Cider, said: "My daughter came home from work and saw the smoke.

"She ran in there and told them their roof was on fire but they said 'no it's not we just lit the chimney'. They wouldn't come out at first, they are quite elderly.

"She called me at work and we went in there and managed to get them out.

"It's a good thing it happened when it did. Everyone is helping out now."

Crews from Newbury, Dee Road and Wokingham Road fire stations were all called to the scene and remain on site.

Mr Wale added: "Everybody is fine but all the roof is gone.

"By the time the fire service got here it was up in flames. They managed to keep the fire in the roof.

"The rest of the house is water damaged."

More to follow.