A TEENAGER has been hailed a hero for saving his family from a major house fire yesterday.

Ivan Brown smelled burning at his home at Pilot Hight Road in West Howe when he raised the alarm.

He’d been making a cup of tea before the electrics shut off at 5.30am.

The 18-year-old shouted for his gran, grandad and uncle to get out of the house before running upstairs with a bucket of water, kicking the door down and dousing the flames.

Ivan even managed to save the family dog, Kenzie.

Watch manager Brad Stevens said: “Ivan raised the alarm and assisted his gran and grandad to safety prior to the arrival of the fire service.

“He did really well. I am sure he saved their lives.”

Ivan told the Daily Echo: “I could smell the smoke and ran upstairs chucking water everywhere. I just shouted for everyone to get out.

“I didn’t know how bad it was until I came outside,” he said, adding that he was treated for minor smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene.

His gran, who asked not to be named, had finished having radiotherapy and chemotherapy just days before when the blaze took hold of the property.

She was involved in a house fire 34 years ago - on the same road - and was saved by the cries of her four-month-old baby.

Three crews from Redhill, Westbourne and Springbourne were called to the property, with the help of the aerial ladder platform at the height of the incident.

Watch manager Stevens said: “On arrival crews were met with a well-developed fire on the first floor and it had been confirmed all persons were out of the property.

“A total of eight breathing apparatus, a main line, compressed air foam system, and two hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire.

“Severe damage has been caused to the entire property.”

He thanked the Red Cross for their support services and the South Western Ambulance Service paramedics.

A warning has been issued after an investigation into the fire determined that it began after the contents of an ashtray were tipped into a plastic bin igniting tissues inside.