Hero mum smashes into burning home to rescue neighbour

A mum-of-six has been hailed a hero for using a hammer to break into a burning home to rescue an elderly neighbour.

Still in her dressing gown, Angela Melia ran from her house and climbed through a window before crawling on her hands and knees through thick black smoke in a bid to save the trapped occupier.

The drama only came to an end when firefighters wearing breathing gear smashed through the front door of the semi and carried both Angela and the householder to safety.

Angela has now been hailed a hero following the blaze in Scotland Hall Road in Newton Heath on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old cook ran from her home to help when she saw smoke coming from the home of an elderly neighbour who lives opposite.

She snatched a hammer from another neighbour who had broken a front window and used it to clear glass from the frame and then climb inside.

Angela, who works at a pub, said:

Outside, she saw her ‘hysterical’ mother and worried five-year-old daughter Skye, although she didn’t require hospital treatment.

She admitted she had been ‘very’ frightened during the drama.

The bed-ridden householder, 76, was taken to hospital although his condition was not thought to be serious.

Angela’s sister Denise Holland, 44, said:

But Angela insisted she wasn’t a hero.

The cause of the blaze is being investigate by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Three fire engines were scrambled to the scene and six firemen in breathing gear went into the home, rescuing two casualties, a fire service spokesman confirmed.