A HEROIC mother and daughter braved a burning building to rescue their neighbour when they realised his home was on fire.

Tracey Marriott and her daughter Lucy spotted flames coming from their neighbour’s home in Heathfield Road, Norton, near Evesham, at about 8.30pm on Monday.

Without thinking, the two women ran straight into the property to rescue 64-year-old Tom Moir.

Miss Marriott, aged 18, said the flames were so intense that she was only able to stay in Mr Moir’s bedroom, which was where the fire broke out, for seconds.

“We heard the fire alarm going off and went outside to look,” she said.

“We saw the room was on fire. We could see the flames coming up the window and up the curtains.

“We could see the window and he lies next to the window, so we knew he would be burning. You can’t leave someone burning, we had to do something. Me and mum ran out and told dad to call the emergency services.

“We went in and I got to Tom, but I ran back out again and mum stayed.”

Mrs Marriott, a full-time carer, got to Mr Moir to find that his arm was on fire.

“His arm was on fire and mum put it out using the duvet cover,” said Miss Marriott, who works as a beauty therapist in Stratford. “She then picked him up by his arms because he is so small at five stone and dragged him out onto the grass.

“My boyfriend put him into my dad’s wheelchair.”

As her 49-year-old mum rescued Mr Moir, the brave teenager was trying to free his dog, Lacey, from the back garden.

“When mum got out she ran back in to get Lacey,” said Miss Marriott.

“At this point, the fire was in the bedroom, but there was smoke in the hallway and oxygen cylinders in the property.”

Mrs Marriott and Mr Moir were taken to hospital with the hero neighbour released later that night.

“Mum was released at 1.30am,” said Miss Marriott.

“It was smoke inhalation. Tom’s still in hospital with severe burns.

“Everyone has been supportive of her and calling her a hero. She saved his life.”

But she said her mum was keen to dismiss any praise for her actions.

“She says she doesn’t want any fuss and that it was only instinct,” said Miss Marriott.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway, although it is believed that the blaze started accidentally.