TWO Mitcheldean teenagers who saved a pensioner from a house blaze in March have been commended for their bravery by the fire brigade.

Eiren Whelan and Maisy Williams, who were 14 and 15 at the time of the incident, took it upon themselves to save an elderly man with mobility difficulties from a fire at his home on The Crescent.

Eiren was at home watching TV when he was alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm coming from a neighbours’ property at around 8.20pm March 29.

He immediately ran across the road to his friend Maisy Williams’ house to get her help.

They both then proceeded to the source of the alarm at an elderly gentleman’s house.

Looking through the window they could see the man sitting on the sofa surrounded by black smoke.

Knowing the man had mobility issues they had to get their neighbour out of the house.

They entered through the open rear door to the property and made their way inside quickly locating the man, who by now was very disorientated and confused, helping him off the sofa and out of the door.

While the pair were inside, Maisy’s mother had called Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service who on attending dealt with a well-developed fire in the kitchen and heavy smoke logging throughout the house.

Eiren and Maisy were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by the ambulance service.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Both Eiren and Maisy were incredibly brave and acted on their instincts to respond to the sound of the smoke detector and save the life of their elderly neighbour.

In recognition of their combined acts of courage and altruistic bravery the Chief Fire Officer Stewart Edgar thanked both of them and said: “You are both a credit to your family, community and school and an example to us all of what can be achieved by working together and doing the right thing.”