A DELIVERY driver has spoken out after coming to the rescue of an elderly woman trapped in a house fire.

Jansen Murless, who works for Samways Fish Merchants, was delivering stock in Lyme Regis when he heard cries for help.

He discovered a 97-year-old woman, with no movement in her legs, had set her kitchen on fire. He was able to pull her out of the building.

He said: “I could hear someone shouting for help.

“There was smoke pouring out of a doorway and I found this old lady just lying there.

“I got here out of the house and then went back to extinguish the fire and called for an ambulance.”

Jansen, who was out working at around 5.30am, said the lady could have died, had he not come to the rescue.

He added: “She was lovely and very thankful.

“She just wanted to go back in her house, but there was so much smoke. If I hadn’t been there, she could easily have died.”

A spokesperson for South Western Ambulance Service said: “We were called to an incident at a private address on February 22 at 6.06 am. We took a female in her 90s to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.”

Sarah Samways, director at Samways, has labelled Jansen’s actions as “heroic”.

She said: “One of our heroic drivers Jansen Murless was delivering to the Mariners Hotel in Lyme Regis when he heard cries for help from a nearby house.

“He called the fire brigade and ambulance and was able to save her life.”

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has issued advice for preparing food safely.

A spokeswoman said: “Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob.

“Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing, they can easily catch fire. Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob. Don’t leave items such as plastic containers or cooking utensils on top of the hob. Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished.”