A TEENAGER was charged with arson with intent to endanger life today following a fire at a house in Newport.

Firefighters were called to a house in Dart Road, Bettws, at 2am yesterday.

Three fire engines attended and firefighters using breathing apparatus fought to contain the fire.

Carl Moore, who lives opposite, called the emergency services.

He said: "I looked out and I could the flames and hear glass cracking, so I called the fire brigade. Then my partner Caroline said we'd better alert the neighbours, so I ran across and banged on their doors.

"I just did what anybody else would do under the circumstances."

Neighbour Carl Byrne said he was awoken by his wife at about 1.45am. He said: "Carl from over the road banged on the door and woke my wife.

She shouted to me saying we had to get out because there was a fire next door. It's a good job he saw it.

"We pulled on some clothes and ran out of the house as smoke started to come through. We were outside for hours - neighbours brought out coats and cups of tea."

Police say one person was in the house in Dart Road at the time.