Blaze heroes save woman, 86

An elderly woman was fighting for her life in hospital today after she was pulled from her burning flat by her neighbours - including 71-year-old Ted Hughes.Gwen Pryce, 86, was rescued from her home in Pelham Road, Upton Magna, near Shrewsbury, after she was found unconscious in her bathroom.

The fire, which is believed to have broken out in the lounge, started just after 6pm yesterday. Mr Hughes today told how he and another neighbour risked their lives to get Mrs Pryce out of the building.

He said he was about to go bowling with his wife Dorothy when Mrs Pryce's granddaughter, who lives nearby, called for help.

Mr Hughes's wife called the emergency services while he tried to get into the ground floor flat. But he was unable to because of thick smoke.

Two other neighbours smashed a window to release the smoke and, despite the pleas of others not to go in, Mr Hughes risked his life to search for Mrs Pryce in the building.

He said: "It was hair-raising for a bit there. I attempted to go in twice and couldn't get in because of the smoke."

Mr Hughes said he searched the building using a torch and found Mrs Pryce in the bathroom. He said: "The tap was on in the bathroom and the bath was full of water. I found her slumped against the toilet and she was unconscious."

He said he picked her up and took her out of the bathroom, then another neighbour came in to help carry Mrs Pryce out and fire crews took over.

Mrs Pryce was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. Her grandson Wayne Pryce said she was in intensive care.

He said: "She's not good. They are breathing for her at the moment."

Richard Ewels, a spokesman for Shrewsbury Police, said investigations were under way to determine the cause of the fire.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said three more people were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.