A HERO smashed his way into a burning house to save his elderly neighbour today.
Steven Hughes, 34, of Bad Bargain Lane, York, dragged Ted Striker, who is believed to be in eighties, from his house, as flames ripped through the upper floor in the early hours.
Mr Hughes was woken up at 2.30am by the sound of Mr Striker's smoke alarm going off.
When he smelled smoke coming through his wall, he went round to Mr Striker's house and called to him.
The elderly man did not come to the door, so Mr Hughes kicked the door in and ran up the stairs which were filled with acrid smoke.
He found Mr Striker lying face down in a back room, and dragged him by his elbows out of the house, while the fire raged in the front bedroom.
Mr Hughes said: "It was black with smoke, it was pretty scary."
Both men were treated for smoke inhalation and Mr Striker was taken to hospital.
Updated: 11:18 Monday, February 23, 2004
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