A teenager was today hailed a hero after climbing through the window of an elderly woman's flat to help put out a fire.

Jay Milner, 17, was walking home with friends when he spotted smoke coming from an elderly people's complex.

The brave teenager, who wants to be a police officer, looked through the window of the flat and saw a woman trying to put out a fire in the lounge.

Brave : Jay Milner is being hailed a hero after jumping through a window to help a pensioner put out a fire in her flat Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Jay said today: "I was sitting in the park with my friends when we heard smoke alarms going off at the complex. As I went closer I saw a woman sitting on the floor trying to put a fire out. I jumped over the fence and asked if she was okay.

"She was coughing so I jumped through the window and put the fire out and tried to help her up.

"She was quite a big lady so another girl, Holly, came and helped me.

"I did think I could have got hurt but I wouldn't have been able to just walk past.

"I just took the chance and wouldn't hesitate to do it again."

His proud mum Jean, said: "Jay could see smoke was filling the room so without thinking for his own safety he managed to open the window and climb through."

Sub officer Richard Norris, from Canvey fire station, said the blaze had been caused by smoking material igniting waste in a bin at the council-run complex.

He said: "This lad helped save this woman's life. It was a brave thing for him to do."

Andrew Wilson, Castle Point's community services manager, said the woman - who did not wish to be identified - did not suffer any injuries. He said: "We are really pleased Mr Milner was able to assist the tenant."

Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003

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