A HERO has spoken of how he crawled through a burning building to rescue his neighbour.

Richard Allsup laid a trail using a garden hose so that he could find his way back out through the dense smoke.

He was alerted to the bungalow blaze in Abberley village by the screams of Michael Blunt's 16-year-old daughter Amy, who was outside. He did not think twice before entering the burning building to save 55-year-old Michael Blunt, who was lying injured inside.

"I couldn't see at all," said the 43-year-old.

"I had to crawl along the floor to get under the smoke.

"I was shouting to him and could just hear sounds from where he was lying, and made my way to him. I could see where the heat was and where the flames were, but it was more a case of how you keep going once you've taken a breath of that kind of smoke - you are really debilitated.

"I think the adrenaline just kicked in and I was able to pick him up and pull him out."

Mr Allsup modestly played down his own efforts and praised those of his other neighbours.

He revealed how his experience as a scuba diver prompted him to use the garden hose to guide his way out.

"It was very much a team effort," he said. "There were a number of neighbours who all worked doing different jobs.

"Years ago I used to be a scuba diver and we were well trained that if ever we went into a wreck to tie a line so that you could find your way out.

"I was originally looking for a piece of rope but I thought a hose pipe would do - one of the neighbours held on to the other end."

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has praised Mr Allsup and said he had certainly saved his neighbour's life.

Mr Blunt suffered 30 per cent burns to both legs and substantial burns to one arm in the fire, in Ditchbrook Lane, Abberley village at 5.40am yesterday.

He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital but later transferred to the burns unit at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital.

Mr Allsup was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital along with Mr Blunt's daughter Amy who was treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for the fire service, described Mr Allsup as a hero. He said: "Mr Allsup bravely entered the property with his garden hose and found the man and managed to get him out."

Mr Blunt's immediate neighbour, Dilys Johnson, had to be evacuated from her home, because of the danger of the flames spreading.

The 82-year-old echoed the sentiments of her neighbour, praising the work of Mr Allsup and the firefighters.

Two fire crews from Kidderminster, one from Stourport and one from Bewdley, were sent out to the scene after being contacted by the ambulance service.

The village's water supply was cut off while firefighters fought the blaze.