PENSIONER Barbara Lewin has praised the firefighters who saved her home from being engulfed in a blaze that destroyed her garage and car in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mrs Lewin, of John Rumble Close, off Church Walk, Devizes, was woken by the sound of her garage roof slates exploding in the heat.

She said: "Being woken out of a deep sleep I first thought it was fireworks or the Army practising on the Plain, but then one of my neighbours started banging on the door and telling me to get out.

"The fire brigade were on the scene in a few minutes and they were brilliant. Without their quick action things would have been a lot worse."

After the initial shock of the fire, Mrs Lewin's main concern was for her cat, Thomas, but firefighters found him safe and well in the area.

Mrs Lewin was left with no power and had to spend most of the weekend with relatives in Frome because the fire had destroyed the electricity and gas meters in the garage.

The garage was completely gutted and her S-reg car burnt out. The guttering at the side of the house was slightly damaged and the hall is showing signs of smoke damage.

Mrs Lewin was philosophical about the fire. She said: "It could have been so much worse. I am just so grateful to everyone who has helped, but particularly the firefighters. They were magnificent."

Electricity has been restored to the detached house and the gas meter is also to be replaced.