A TEENAGE factory worker who fought an inferno to save a pensioner's home was hailed a hero today.

Brave David Holt, aged 17, smashed his way into 78-year-old Evelyn Howarth's house and brought the fierce fire under control using a fire extinguisher.

And today a Bolton fire chief paid tribute to the teenager insisting his actions saved the elderly widow's home from destruction. The drama began when a chip pan burst into flames in the kitchen of Mrs Howarth's home in Withins Lane, Breightmet.

With flames threatening to engulf the house the pensioner ran to the nearby Classical Glass factory. Glass cutter David grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran to the house.

The heat of the blaze, though, was too intense and it forced David to retreat to the firm to tell his colleague Stephen Evans to phone the fire brigade.

The persistent teenager then donned a mask used in the glass cutting process and went back to the house, smashing a door with the extinguisher to gain entry.

He then checked the internal doors for heat before darting into the kitchen and directing the fire extinguisher at the base of the flame.

David, of Waggon Road, Breightmet, said: "There was only one way into the kitchen and it was full of thick, black smoke.

"I pushed the door open with my foot because I've seen the film Backdraft and know that you can be hit by flames. When that didn't happen I went in and could see the fire. I put it out with the extinguisher."

David learned the technique during his health and safety training at Classical Glass.

Mrs Howarth, whose husband Samuel died five months ago, was proud of his actions. She said: "I was terrified. The young lad was wonderful and so were the fire brigade.

"I don't know what to do now because the house is such a mess."

The kitchen suffered fire damage and the rest of the building was damaged by smoke.

Mrs Howarth was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

David was praised by Bolton fire sub-officer Peter Stevenson. He said: "He did everything right but we wouldn't recommend everyone enters a burning house. It's best to get out and call us."

Bolton North fire station, on Crompton Way, will hold a demonstration on chip pan fires at an open day on September 2.