A senior firefighter has praised the bravery of two workmen who rescued an elderly man after his kitchen caught fire.

Jonathan Denton and Mark Davie, of J&S Joinery, were working close to the house in Southlands Avenue, Fairweather Green, Bradford, when they noticed smoke pouring out of the building.

The quick-thinking pair jumped over a fence, forced their way through the front door and put out the fire, caused by a chip pan, using a water butt.

They took the 86-year-old occupant outside to await the fire service.

Ian Gobbi, crew manager at Fairweather Green fire station, said: "They did a marvellous job. Without their prompt action we could have been looking at a completely different scenario."

The fire, which started at about 12.30pm yesterday, caused smoke damage to the interior of the house.

The man was treated by paramedics for inhaling smoke, but refused hospital treatment.