FOUR dogs were rescued by a group of friends after fire broke out in a Newport house. Ross Yhnell, 14, was painting his brother Daniel's house, in Meon Close, Bettws, with friends Gary Evans 15, Adam Richards, 15, and Thomas Ryan, 15, when they spotted smoke billowing from a house across the street on Friday.

Daniel, 26, said: "We saw smoke pouring from the house and so we decided to go and investigate.

"We went over the road and we tried to open the front door but couldn't. We saw the dogs and so we tried to put the window through".

Eventually a neighbour managed to open the door and the teenagers ran in to the house to get the dogs.

Adam added: "Then one of the dogs ran back inside the house so we had to go back in and get it."

The friends searched the house to see if there were any human casualties before leaving. No-one else was inside the property.

They also called the fire brigade and fire fighters extinguished the blaze.

The dogs, a Jack Russell terrier and three cross-breeds were all unharmed.

Dad Brian Yhnell said: "I am very proud of my sons. It was a very brave thing they did".

He added: "They went inside the house to see if anyone was hurt and looked to see if they could find people".

The fire service said the blaze was caused by a chip pan being left unattended

* In the picture: The four pals, from left, Adam Richards, Thomas Ryan, Garry Evans and Ross Yhnell.