A GWENT police officer has been hailed a hero after rescuing a man from a burning house today.

Police constable Andy Rowlands, who is based at Fairwater police station, Cwmbran, plunged in to the blazing property in the early hours of this morning after being called to Coleford Path, St Dials.

The officer was attending an incident when he noticed smoke coming from beneath the door of a house in the road.

PC Rowlands contacted the fire service before breaking down the door of the smoke-filled property.

Householder David Foster, aged 24, was asleep in the smoke-filled front room and could not be woken. He was carried out of the house to safety by the police officer. Two fire crews were on the scene within minutes to deal with the blaze, which was put out quickly.

An ambulance crew treated Mr Foster at the scene for smoke inhalation but he did not need hospital treatment.

Today Gwent police paid tribute to the officer's actions.

Sergeant Steve Keenan, based at Cwmbran police station, told the Argus: "PC Rowland's actions saved this man's life and his actions are highly commendable. "He entered the house uncertain of what he was going to face.

"In the circumstances he was very brave and courageous." The fire, which started in the kitchen, is believed to have been caused by a chip pan igniting.