Bravery award for teenage fire hero

Delivery driver Ethan Maillard made the rescue bid after coming across the blaze on Netherthorpe Walk, Netherthorpe, Sheffield.

After onlookers told the 19-year-old there could be youngsters upstairs, he kicked in the door and searched bedrooms in the smoke-filled property.

His search revealed the house was empty, but he narrowly avoided injury on his exit after jumping down the stairs to avoid the flames.

Mr Maillard, who suffered smoke inhalation in the incident last September, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation on Tuesday in a ceremony at Sheffield’s Mansfield Road fire station.

The teenager said: “There was a fair bit of panic because people couldn’t get inside. I just acted on instinct. Looking back I’m proud of how I responded, and it’s great that my actions have been recognised in this way.”

Mick Mason, from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Our advice is always to let firefighters deal with the incident but clearly Ethan’s actions on this occasion deserve to be recognised.”