TWO police officers who saved the life of a man trapped by a house fire are to be honoured for their bravery.

PC William Hunter and PC Paul Cullen braved thick smoke to rescue a man trapped in an upstairs flat in the Hendon area of Sunderland after fire broke out in the property below.

The blaze broke out in the property in Northcote Terrace in the early hours of Tuesday, December 9, filling the ground-floor flat with flames and smoke.

The occupant, 35-year-old Kevin Gray, died in the fire, while a second man was trapped in the upstairs flat of the two-storey house.

As the trapped man, screamed for help, the two officers were able to reassure him and give directions for him to get out of the property safely while they waited for firefighters to arrive.

But as he tried to escape through thick, rising smoke, the man stumbled and fell. Officers then forced their way into the flat and brought him to safety.

Now, Northumbria Police Chief Constable Sue Sim is to commend the officers for their bravery and quick thinking which resulted in the man escaping with minor injuries.

Mrs Sim said: "The courageous actions of PC William Hunter and PC Paul Cullen encompasses the true spirit of policing and I commend their instinctive and decisive actions in bringing the man to safety.

“Additional officers who attended the scene assisted their colleagues throughout.

"Sadly, one man lost his life in the fire in a separate flat and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends at this difficult time."