A FATHER of two has told how the family's pet parrot saved their lives by raising the alarm as a fire ripped through their home.

A FATHER of two has told how the family's pet parrot saved their lives by raising the alarm as a fire ripped through their home.

Bob, an African grey, squawked frantically as the blaze spread through the Hall family home in Fair Oak, Hampshire, early yesterday morning.

His distressed cries woke Francis Hall and his two sons, Sam and Trevor, who managed to flee the burning property after grabbing Bob's cage.

The trio needed treatment for smoke inhalation, while the hero parrot survived the drama with barely a feather out of place.

Mr Hall, 59, said he now plans to get Bob some new toys and find him a mate to reward the brave bird, while Sam, 18, called the parrot “a legend”.