A PLUCKY postwoman was hailed a heroine today after she led a disabled pensioner to safety from his smoke-logged home.

Sarah Hadfield then went back into Edgar Morphet's bungalow in Barleydale Road, Higherford, and put out the bedroom blaze.

Sarah, 30, of Dundonnell Road, Nelson, was praised for her heroics by the fire brigade and allowed to go home early by her bosses at Nelson sorting office.

Sarah, who has been doing a post round in Barrowford and Higherford for 18 months, said: "I had a letter for the house and as I got to the front door the man came out and said he could smell smoke.

"He was almost blind so he couldn't see anything.

"I went inside and the house was full of smoke. I had a look around and found the lamp and some curtains were on fire in the bedroom so I used a damp cloth to put it out.

"I don't think the man knew what was going on. I kept taking him outside, but when I went back in he kept following me."

Mr Morphet, 86, who is partially sighted and hard of hearing, was unhurt. Sarah was given oxygen by paramedics after breathing in smoke, but did not need hospital treatment.

The fire brigade was alerted at 7.30am today but when they arrived they found Sarah had done their job for them. Damage was limited to the lamp and curtains.

Sub officer Tom Simpson, of Nelson fire station, said: "She did all the right things. She's an all round heroine. Mr Morphet was in a very confused state and didn't realise what was happening."

It is believed heat from the bedside lamp set fire to the curtains.

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