A TEENAGER told today how he ran into a burning building in an attempt to rescue an elderly neighbour.

Darrell Knight, 19, of Easthill Street, Barnoldswick, acted when he woke up and smelled smoke coming into his home from a neighbouring house.

Darrell, who only moved into the street with girlfriend Gemma on Sunday, broke into the burning house and tried to rescue the occupant with another neighbour, Dave McHallam.

But the pair were beaten back by smoke and forced to give up their attempts when a window blew out.

A woman's body was later recovered from the bottom of the stairs. Neighbours said the woman was Connie Munton, 83.

Darrell said he realised there was a fire when he saw smoke coming into his kitchen and rushed out into the street, shouting to a neighbour, Grace Honeyman, to call the fire brigade.

Grace's partner Mr McHallam came to help and the pair forced open the door of the blazing house.

After several attempts at entering the house with a towel wrapped round their faces, they located Mrs Munton and tried to pull her towards the door.

They were beaten back by the severity of the smoke and forced to give up their efforts when a window smashed.

Darrell said: "I couldn't see anything in the house because of the smoke.

"I could just make out that there was a bed on fire and I knew that Connie slept downstairs.

"Dave ducked down and said he could see her.

"We wrapped a T-shirt round her leg and tried to pull her out but we just couldn't move her.

"Then the window blew out and we had to move away.

"I didn't know her very well but she never went out. It's a real shame."

Mr McHallam, 24, said: "It was thick with smoke and we were choking. We could see where she was but just couldn't do anything. It was impossible."

Assistant divisional officer Brian Cain paid tribute to the pair, saying: "Anyone who runs into a burning house to rescue somebody is brave and these actions are commendable.

"Unfortunately it was too late to save the elderly resident."

Sergeant Zeg Awan added: "Their actions were very brave and it was just unfortunate that there was nothing else they could have done."

Neighbour Karen Hood said: "I saw smoke and flames coming out and thought that nobody could have survived, it was so bad.

"I didn't know Connie very well but I had seen her a few times and she always seemed a bit confused.

"I used to see home helps coming to and from the house.

"It's awful to think of it."

A fire investigation involving the police, fire brigade and forensic scientists has not yet been concluded, but Mr Cain said initial suggestions were that the fire was started by smoking materials.

He said: "People need to be aware that if they smoke they need to be very careful about where they discard smoking materials and shouldn't smoke in bed.

"If anyone needs any fire safety advice they should contact the fire service because it is freely available."