Scott Hunter, aged 18, of Harvey Avenue, was walking to his friend's when thick black smoke on Clarence Avenue, Newton, caught his eye.

Mark Fleming, aged 38, had escaped the inferno, but his girlfriend, Louise Billington, aged 37, was still inside, screaming with pain.

Scott ran up the stairs and pulled Louise to the door where neighbours helped her outside.

His friend, Dean Latham, aged 18, of Vista Way, said: "I went in with Scott but got forced back by the flames and the heat."

Modest Scott, who is unemployed, said: "I didn't think about it, it's just something you do and I'd do it again."

Neighbour Mark Arnold, aged 42, had kicked in the front door, letting out Mark Fleming, before Scott arrived.

His wife, Karen, said: "He could hear Mark banging on the front door and shouting that it was locked and he couldn't get out, so Mark (her husband) broke the door down.

"We could hear Louise screaming from her burns but the heat was so intense no one could get to her.

"There was thick, black smoke and flames were gushing out. It was awful, I've never seen anything like it."

Two fire engines arrived at 9.10pm and took about 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Alan Lybert, leading fire officer for red watch, Newton, said: "I went inside with another firefighter but because of the heat we had to go on our hands and knees.

"You'd have been cremated if you stood up.

"It was about 1,000 degrees centigrade in there. The vacuum cleaner had melted and bent over double and flames were running across the ceiling because of the temperature.

"The bathroom is completely gutted, with plaster hanging off the walls and ceiling and the back patio doors were blown out into the garden."

The fire services helped Louise and Mark with burns packs before the couple were taken to Whiston Hospital.

Louise Billington suffered burns to her hands and wrists and smoke inhalation, while Mark had cuts to his hands and smoke inhalation.

Merseyside police have charged a 17-year-old man from Newton with arson and with intent to endanger life.

FIRE HERO