FIRE chiefs have praised the quick-thinking of a father and son who sawed open a front door to rescue a pensioner from a house fire.

Kevin and Paul Banks braved thick smoke when they went to the help of a 76-year-old woman, in Melville Street, Chester-le-Street, shortly after 2pm on Sunday.

Son Paul, 21, of South Hetton, near Easington Lane, said: "It all happened so quickly.

"We were working on a house across the road when a woman walking passed drew our attention to smoke coming from the ground floor and top windows.

"I opened the letter box and heard a woman shouting that she could not get out.

"My father and I tried kicking the door down but couldn't. Then my father shouted to get the electric saw and we cut a hole in the door."

Paul entered the house and dragged the pensioner out.

When told that the woman had three dogs, the two men went into the hallway and shouted for the them.

They rescued two of the animals and a third was saved by firefighters, who arrived within minutes.

The woman was treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and discharged.

Neighbour Amdriane Bigrigg said: "They were really brave. The son went in again and again."

Station officer Michael Dixon said the blaze had been caused by a chip pan fire shortly after 2pm.

The pensioners had tried to get out of the back door, but it was locked.

Neighbours were alerted by the smoke alarm which had activated.

Mr Dixon said: "The two men showed community spirit and bravery in rescuing the pensioner.

"The incident again draws attention to the importance of having a smoke alarm. It prevented a potential disaster.

"We have had seven people die in house fires this year - in six of those there were no smoke alarms."