Pensioner Les Reed says he owes his life to the quick reactions of his neighbours who hammered on his front door and windows to warn him of a fire engulfing his home.
Les, 68, had nodded off in his chair in the sitting room of the property in Calvert Terrace, Murton, County Durham, around 4pm on Friday when their banging roused him from his sleep.
"It was thanks to the neighbours I managed to get out just in time," said Les. "If they hadn't woken me up, I might not be here today. It was a close one.
