A MAN who abandoned his Sunday afternoon drink to rescue an alcoholic from a house fire is to be honoured for his bravery.

Paul Conway was enjoying an afternoon in the Voltigeur pub, in Spennymoor, County Durham, with a friend on Sunday, January 5, when at about 4pm they noticed thick smoke coming from an upstairs flat opposite, on Dundas Street.

The two men rushed to help, along with the pub landlord.

They found the front door forced shut, but could see the carpet was on fire.

When they shouted to the woman inside, Paula Johnson, she responded with abuse, Durham Crown Court heard.

However, Mr Conway refused to give up, trying to bring Johnson to safety.

The landlord said his customer went far beyond the call of duty – so much so he was very concerned for Mr Conway’s own safety, as he had to keep going outside to escape the smoke and get some fresh air.

Judge Christopher Prince said Mr Conway had saved Johnson’s life and his actions were very much to his credit and he ordered that he be formally commended.

The citation will read: “For having demonstrated conspicuous bravery by placing his own life at risk by entering a burning building and saving the life of the female occupant.”

Mr Conway could not be contacted for comment yesterday (Friday, August 8).

Johnson, who was living at her sister’s flat, had been drinking that day and had put a quilt against the door to keep the draft out while she slept, prosecutor Paul Reid told the court.

After that, she could remember little of the incident.

Johnson later told police she had not meant to hurt anyone.

The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said pre-sentence and psychiatric reports on Johnson had been prepared. The latter said she was such a risk she should not be released into the community.

Sentencing, Judge Prince said Johnson had a serious addiction to alcohol and would benefit from treatment and counselling.

Johnson was sentenced to two years in prison.