A CHILWELL man is being hailed a "hero" after rushing in to a burning house to try to rescue two of his next-door neighbours.
Tony Morley, 55, has been praised by people living in Oak Acres after he risked searing heat and thick smoke trying to get to the young couple.
He was woken by the fire at around 2am on Friday and saw a woman and four young children who had already run out of the house.
But the young couple were still stuck in a first floor bedroom as the fierce fire burned in the room next to them, sending smoke pouring from the windows.
Tony, who lives with his own family next door, ran out of his house and through his neighbour's front door, then up the stairs.
He said: "I just wanted to try and get them out, but even though I managed to get to a point where they were only inches away from me, the smoke choked me, I started swallowing it.
"I couldn't quite get to the door, even though it was only at the top of the stairs, it was so hot."
Tony retreated to the street, but firefighters soon arrived and rescued the couple using a ladder, then put out the fire. None of the family was seriously hurt, but three pet cats died after inhaling smoke and the house was badly damaged.
The family, who asked not to be named, have been moved to temporary accommodation.
One of the women from the house, who asked not to be named, said the fire started when spray from an aerosol can hit a candle by accident.
She said: "We're all very upset and not sleeping very well since.
"But we're all very thankful. It was brilliant of Tony and everyone has been amazing.
"We are thankful to be alive."
Tony, who is a stock handler for a delivery company, added: "I just thought because they were trapped someone had to try something. I did my best and the firefighters did the rest.
"It's been very traumatic for their family."
Another neighbour, Michelle Topping, 38, saw what happened.
She said: "The back windows actually blew out because of the heat. All you could smell was burning plastic. It wasn't very nice to see.
"It's so sad three cats died but it could have been three children."
She added: "Tony's being called a hero round here since."
People living in the area near where the fire happened have been organising support for the family.
The Inham Nook pub in Inham Road is collecting children's toys and clothes for them and St Barnabas' Church has also been offering its support.
The family has been moved to a hotel by Broxtowe Borough Council, which owns the house, and they are hoping to go in to emergency accommodation next week.
Repairs to the damage are expected to keep them out of their house for several weeks.
Anyone wanting to donate children's clothes or toys for the family through the pub's appeal is asked to go to the Inham Nook and ask for Becky.
