Three teenagers risked their lives to rescue a man who had fallen asleep as flames ripped through his West Bromwich home, gutting the property and killing thousands of pounds worth of Japanese fish.
The brave trio smashed a window after spotting flames licking the windows of the end-of-terrace house and dragged out Jason Smith from inside. Neighbours said they saved his life.
The boys’ shouts also alerted other families in Painswick Close on the Yew Tree Estate.
Next door neighbour Liz Coxley said: “Without them, Jason wouldn’t be here and our house might have gone up as well.”
Watch commander Mick Goode, of West Bromwich fire station, said the windows and doors were blown out by the ferocity of the fire which was started after a chip pan was left to overheat on the cooker.
Mr Smith, in his 30s, was taken to Sandwell Hospital with burns to his head and a broken arm.
His shocked father, who had been working a night shift, and his brother returned home in the early hours to find a charred shell.
Neighbour Liz, whose house suffered smoke and water damage, said: “It went up in a matter of minutes. I was in bed when I heard shouting and thought it was lads fighting. I went to the window and realised what was happening. My son-in-law was on the stairs shouting for everyone to get out. Sometimes the grandchildren stay at the weekend but luckily they weren’t there last night.”
The Smiths, keen anglers, also lost valuable fishing equipment and thousands of pounds worth of koi which were kept in a raised pond near to the back of the property.