A BRAVE neighbour who rescued a 16-year-old girl from a burning building was today hailed a hero by Selby firefighters.

Arthur Nugent, 58, helped Sarah Conway escape from the first floor window of a semi-detached house in Pinewood Drive, Camblesforth, when an unattended chip-pan caught fire as she slept upstairs.

Firefighters who attended the blaze, which left the entire house severely damaged, say Mr Nugent's swift actions prevented fatal consequences - and have recommended him for a special award.

Sub officer Rob Horton said: "We would not normally advise the people to enter a burning building. However, in this instance I am firmly of the opinion that Mr Nugent's actions prevented at least one fatality.

"I will be recommending to my superiors that he is put forward for an award. His actions were above and beyond what we would expect from a member of the public."

Mr Nugent and his wife were alerted to the fire when they heard their neighbour's burglar alarm.

They discovered the back door of the house unlocked and opened it to find thick black smoke.

While his wife phoned the fire brigade, Mr Nugent went inside to see if anyone was trapped but was soon beaten back.

"I guessed there must be someone home because the door was open," he said.

"If it had been locked, we would not have found the fire. It could have been disastrous."

The commotion woke Neil Davey, 18, who had fallen asleep in the lounge, and he managed to escape from the building.

But family friend Sarah Conway was trapped upstairs.

Mr Nugent, a retired construction worker, said: "I didn't have to think twice about it. To me, all that mattered was helping the girl out of the building."

He got his ladder and climbed up to the window where Sarah had smashed the glass. He forced the pane out and pulled her from the window.

Firefighters were soon on the scene and both teenagers were taken to Pontefract Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and minor cuts and bruises.

Mr Nugent was treated at the scene with oxygen.

Mr Nugent said he was flattered by all the attention but didn't really "feel like a hero".

"My 11-year-old grandaughter, Hayley, did make me a special medal though, and that made me feel quite proud."

Updated: 15:45 Wednesday, June 04, 2003