HEROIC George Smith told today how he had been left mentally scarred by the ordeal of rescuing his neighbours from their blazing home.

The 29-year-old, of Rawdon Avenue, Tang Hall, is to be awarded North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service's highest honour after helping to save the lives of Kelly Stephenson and her daughter, Alisha.

In March this year, the Evening Press reported that George pulled Kelly out of her house and then returned three times to try to save the child, who was asleep in an upstairs bedroom, before he was beaten back by smoke.

Alisha was eventually rescued by firefighters from her bedroom, after a chip pan fire engulfed the kitchen in flames.

George said that he would not hesitate in carrying out another rescue, but revealed it had taken an emotional toll and left him fearful of fires.

He has taken up fishing to help him relax.

"Every time I look at the house I can see myself running in," George said.

"Someone set a car on fire the other day and I started panicking and felt churned up."

George said he had also suffered nightmares since the rescue and revealed he would consider seeing a counsellor to help him deal with it.

"I'm very pleased to get the award," he added.

York fire chief Graham Buckle, who nominated George for the Chief Fire Officers Commendation award, said his condition was a common occurrence for people who had been in danger situations.

"In the cold light of day you can think: 'I could have been killed there', so it does make you more wary," he said.

"He will get over it though and just needs to chill out.

"George placed himself at great risk to rescue somebody else - it was very brave.

"There is a strong possibility that at least one of his neighbours would have died without him."

George's mother, Chris Bulmer, added: "It's brilliant - I'm so proud of him.

"He seems to be coping all right, but it's just left him a bit fearful."

George said he now had a close bond with Kelly and Alisha because of the rescue.

Updated: 11:44 Saturday, August 06, 2005