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 helped a 76-year-old woman, in Melville Street, Chester-le-Street, at about 2pm yesterday.

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 past drew our attention to smoke coming from the ground floor and top windows.

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

"My father and I tried kicking the door down but failed. 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. She told them she had three dogs in the house so the pair went into the hallway and shouted for them. They rescued two dogs and a third was saved by firefighters who arrived within minutes.

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

Neighbour Adriane 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 pensioner 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."