Ian Doyle, who is based at Anfield in Merseyside, was the first to arrive at the house fire in Tuebrook on Tuesday night.

Military crews on Green Goddesses had been mobilised, but Mr Doyle went into the burning house before they arrived.

He helped the 60-year-old man, who was in bed upstairs, to safety, before going back in to the house to douse the flames.

Smoke inhalation

It is thought the fire started on the hob in the kitchen.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service said the joint control room had received a call to a house fire where someone was trapped inside.

A spokesman said he was certain that the actions of Mr Doyle saved the man's life.

The man was treated at the Royal Liverpool Hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.