Brave Matthew Aylott won high praise from Essex Fire Service for rescuing his younger sister from a serious blaze at his home.

The nine-year-old was presented with a commendation by chief fire officer David Turner at a ceremony at service headquarters in Brentwood.

He was also given an Essex Fire Service T-shirt, making him the envy of his friends. On October 25 last year, he noticed flames and smoke coming from the back room of his home in Beaufort Street, Southend.

He raised the alarm and called his mother who rushed down the stairs, grabbed him and ran out the front door.

Once outside she realised her daughter Melissa, then six, was still upstairs. Without a second thought for his own safety, Matthew ran back into the house, woke Melissa and they escaped to safety through the bedroom window.

Matthew said: "I ran back into the house because I did not want my sister to get burned by the fire. I did not know I was being brave."

Chief fire officer David Turner also paid tribute to Danny Constable, of Kings Holiday Park, Canvey, after he rescued a neighbour from a fire.

Mr Constable leapt into action on October 14 last year after spotting a blaze at a chalet at King's Club where neighbour Leonard Guile lived.

His citation read: "He pulled Mr Guile from his bed and removed him outside to fresh air and safety."

A letter of congratulation was awarded to Tony Hall who braved searing heat and billowing smoke as he attempted to rescue a young girl from a fire.

He received minor burns as he burst into a blazing bedroom in Crown Avenue, Pitsea, to save a six-year-old girl called Sophie. The smoke and heat forced Mr Hall, who lives in Crown Avenue, to retreat.

Fire crews found Sophie in another room calling for help.

My hero - Matthew Aylott, nine, with his sister Melissa, seven, who he saved from their burning home

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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