AN HEROIC neighbour risked his life to pull a man from his burning flat – using the light from his mobile phone to guide him.

It is not known what started the fire, which broke out at the property in Lambert Road, Grimsby, at 2.10am yesterday.

And, although fire chiefs say they would never advise anyone to go into a burning building, those living in the area said that without the quick thinking of security guard Graham Parkinson, it could have turned out very differently.

Mr Parkinson had got up from watching TV when he noticed smoke coming from a neighbouring flat, occupied by a man named locally as Billy Hunter.

Mr Parkinson said: "It is lucky I had the night off work. I went outside and banged on the door but there was no answer. I tried it and it was open so I went in.

"The whole place was filled with smoke and I couldn't see anything in front of me.

"I didn't know where he was, so I used the light on my phone and tried to feel my way around.

"At one point I heard something and then I found him laying on the floor on the landing.

"I had to pull him by his arm and as soon as we got out I called the fire brigade.

"I think it was just luck that I was here, awake and the door was unlocked.

"Anybody would have done the same.

"I don't know the guy very well, but I say hello when I pass him. I hope he will be OK."

Crews from Peaks Lane and Cromwell Road fire stations attended the scene and Mr Hunter was taken to hospital by ambulance suffering with severe smoke inhalation.

The fire was contained quickly and did not spread to Mr Parkinson's flat or to the neighbouring property.

Neighbour Gary Boulton, who lives next door, added: "We got woken up by the lights of the fire engines and didn't really know what was happening.

"We didn't get evacuated because the firefighters got the situation under control quickly.

"The firemen came into our house and used it to look out of, to see if the back of the property was OK.

"The guy who dragged him out did a great thing."

The flat is above Lambert Road News, which also suffered some damage in the fire, including a large hole in the ceiling.

Wayne Robson, the landlord of the flats and shop, said: "I got called by the police at about 2.30am and was told what happened.

"The flat has been completely gutted, but that doesn't matter right now as long as everyone is OK.

"The shop hasn't suffered too much damage and we will have it repaired in no time."

Andy James, a fire officer at the scene, said: "Although I would not advise people to enter a burning building, the neighbour did extremely well in saving this man.

"Crews worked very quickly in difficult conditions to tackle what was a severe fire.

"It stresses the importance of looking out for your neighbours and links in with our Check On Your Neighbours campaign."