Men hailed after woman saved

Two neighbours who saved an 86-year-old woman by carrying her out of her burning flat were today hailed as "heroes" by their local councillor.

Ted Hughes, 71, and Brian Davies, 59, rescued their neighbour Gwen Pryce from her home in Pelham Road, Upton Magna, near Shrewsbury, on Tuesday night.

Mrs Pryce was found unconscious in her bathroom after the fire broke out in the lounge of her ground floor flat just after 6pm.

Fire service bosses today said the cause of the fire was still being investigated, but have ruled out suspicious circumstances.

Mrs Pryce's grandson Wayne Pryce today issued his thanks to the pair.

He said: "On behalf of the family we are totally in awe of them. They went above and beyond the call of duty."

Local borough councillor Claire Wild also praised Mr Hughes and Mr Davies for their efforts and said she hoped Mrs Pryce would get better soon.

She said: "They are heroes and risked their own lives. I think it's a testament to the community spirit within the village that people in small villages will risk life and limb for one another."

Mrs Pryce was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and was today still in intensive care.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said three other people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Today fire investigation officer John Griffiths said: "From a fire service point of view we do not recommend that people enter burning buildings to rescue people but in this circumstance they seem to have made a decision and it seems to have paid off."

He said a joint inspection of the scene had been carried out with police and suspicious circumstances had been ruled out as the cause.