Heroic pensioner Albert Jones has been commended for his bravery by firefighters after rescuing his neighbour from a blaze in her flat.

Mr Jones was visited by firefighters at his home yesterday so they could thank him. The 81-year-old, of Barton Road Flats, Headington, Oxford, was given the chance to meet the crew who were called out to deal with the fire.

A fire engine was brought to his house for him to have a look around and then he received a vote of thanks from the crew for his efforts.

Mr Jones was watching TV on Saturday evening when he heard screams coming from the corridor outside his door.

When he rushed to investigate he found 85-year-old Olive Chamberlain screaming that her flat was on fire.

Mr Jones, who was in the Auxiliary Fire Service during the Second World War, ran into the flat, smothered the flames with a wet tablecloth, opened a window to let the smoke out and called the fire brigade. Speaking after the meeting, he said he was grateful for the vote of thanks but insisted he had done nothing special.

He said: "Anyone would do it really. I put the fire out, that was the main thing. But I am pleased they came round and thanked me." David Etheridge, station commander at Slade Park fire station, said "It was an opportunity for us to offer our thanks to his efforts in responding so quickly and extinguishing the fire.

"We were extremely impressed with his level-headedness at a time when panic sets in for a lot of people. Without his prompt action the fire damage could have been a lot worse."

"This is a shining example of how to be a perfect neighbour.

Mr Etheridge added: "The most important thing is to protect human life. The best thing to do in a fire situation is to get out, call the fire brigade and stay out." Mrs Chamberlain was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with minor burns to her right hand. She was transferred to Oxford's Churchill Hospital where her condition was stable.

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