Neighbours rescued a 59-year-old man from a fire at his home early today.

Brothers Philip, 17, and Shaun McCrickard, 20, spotted smoke coming from the house in Dawson Street, Bierley, Bradford, shortly after midnight when they went for a cigarette in the garden of their Bierley View home.

After they kicked in the front door, another neighbour, Jonjo Coubrough, 23, also of Bierley View, ran inside the smoke-filled home to rescue Arthur Brown, who had serious burns to his hands, after trying to put the burning pan fire out, and was choking from the fumes.

Two fires crews from Odsal fire station took more than an hour to bring the blaze under control.

Odsal Station Officer Jim Hutton praised the men's actions.

He said: "The neighbours' actions have certainly saved the occupant from far more serious injuries.

"We think the victim was using a chip pan when he fell asleep downstairs in the lounge.

"He's burnt his hands trying to put the pan out and then has panicked when he couldn't find his keys to open the front door.

"His injuries could have been a lot worse had his neighbours not acted so quickly and we would praise their very brave actions.

"We would warn people not to use chip pans at that time of night especially when you are tired."

Another neighbour, Linda Brown, 39, of Dawson Street, also praised the rescuers' efforts.

"When we heard the commotion we thought that it could have been a fight but then we heard these lads telling Arthur to get out of his house. If it wasn't for them it would have been a lot worse."

Mr Brown was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation and burns.