THREE heroes who jumped into action to try and save a life at a fatal house fire have been praised for their brave actions.

Christopher Middle, Matthew House and Trevor Hewitt have received what the Chief Fire Officer described as the 'highest award I can offer to a member of the public for acts of outstanding bravery, selflessness or courage in the face of adversity'.

Mr Middle was further recognised with an award from a charity.

The trio, from the north Dorset village of Shroton, also known as Iwerne Courtney, were alerted to a house fire in their community late at night on September 9 last year.

The blaze at the property, in General Wolfe Close, quickly took hold, rendering the occupant unconscious.

After hearing shouts for help from a neighbour, Mr House and Mr Middle went to the property and opened the front door, to be faced with thick smoke. Mr Middle saw the occupant on the hallway floor and entered the house on his hands and knees to drag her outside.

The two men immediately started CPR and were assisted by Mr Hewitt.

Sadly, the woman aged in her 60s who was rescued died in hospital; however, the fire service said she was given the 'best life-saving intervention available thanks to Mr Middle’s courage in rescuing her from the property, and the immediate treatment she received from Mr Middle, Mr House and Mr Hewitt.'

They received the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendations for their actions after being nominated by Sturminster Newton Fire Station Manager James Plumley and Inspector Jane Kiernan of Dorset Police.

Following a nomination from Chief Fire Officer of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ben Ansell, Mr Middle was also presented with a Bronze medal from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.

Mr Plumley said: “This was a significant incident for all those involved who attended, let alone for the members of the public who put themselves in harm’s way to try and save the life of another person.”

The award presentation took place at Sturminster Newton Fire Station.

Mr Ansell said: “The Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation is the highest award I can offer to a member of the public for acts of outstanding bravery, selflessness or courage in the face of adversity. All three of these men showed incredible presence of mind to do what they did, and they all thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

He added: “In exceptional cases, I will also make a nomination to other bodies, and I was extremely pleased that the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire has recognised Mr Middle for his incredible bravery on that day. It was my honour to make the presentation of a bronze medal on their behalf.”