A ‘hero’ neighbour has been praised by the community for rescuing an elderly man from his burning home last night.

Simon Wheatley, 41, was walking to collect a takeaway when he saw smoke coming from an elderly neighbour’s house.

The electrician, a father of two who lives in Micklefield Road, with his fiancée and two year-old son, said: “I got in from a long day at work and ordered a takeaway. When I went to collect it, I saw smoke coming from my neighbour Rodney’s house.

“He’s well-known and liked in our area and we all keep an eye on him because he’s quite frail.

“When I heard his smoke alarm going off, I thought it looked a bit more serious than burnt food, so I walked up to his door and shouted to him to see if he was alright.”

“The smoke got really thick really quickly and I started coughing.

“From the front door, I saw him walk into his living room with a kettle.  

“I was calling him from the front door but he couldn’t hear me, so I ran in and the smoke just hit me straight away.

“I was coughing and I couldn’t see a thing. I saw the orange flames and then eventually I found him and I grabbed him. I told him he was coming out of the house with me, even if I had to carry him over my shoulder.

“Eventually I managed to get him out and just after we got stepped out of the house, the windows blew out. We were so lucky we weren’t badly injured.”

“Because I’d only gone to pick up a takeaway, I didn’t have my phone. So I quickly ran back to mine to call 999 and the fire brigade were there in minutes.”

Three fire engines from High Wycombe and one from Beaconsfield were called to the scene at 7.16pm and used two hose reels, four sets of breathing apparatus, a turntable ladder and a PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fan to put the fire out.

Mr Wheatley said: “I couldn’t believe how quickly the flames engulfed the house. Until you’ve experienced it, you don’t realise how quickly fire can escalate. It was unbelievable how quickly it spread.”

Bucks Fire and Rescue today confirmed that the fire was caused by an electric heater setting fire to combustible items which were too close to it.

The blaze caused too much damage to determine exactly what those items were.

Mr Wheatley said: “The firemen said I was brave, but they told me off for going into the house when it was so dangerous. They said we didn’t have much time. Thirty seconds later and we might not have got out of the house.”

High Wycombe residents took to Facebook to express their gratitude to the local hero.

Mr Wheatley added: “I’ve had lots of nice Facebook messages and comments from people saying well done, but it was a natural instinct to want to help. I knew he was in there and I had to get him out.

“I’m a firm believer in fate. I was in the right place at the right time. It’s strange because our road is usually quite busy but I didn’t see another person around at the time.

“If I had gone out just a little bit earlier, or if I hadn’t ordered a takeaway, I might not have been there to get him out.”

“Reality kicked in this morning when I drove past his house and saw how bad the damage is in the daylight. I’m just glad that we both got out safely.

“If it ever happened again, I would probably do the same thing. It was scary but I just had to help. I did what I thought I should do.”

Mr Wheatley confirmed that his neighbour is doing well.

After receiving oxygen at the scene for smoke inhalation, he was taken to Stoke Mandeville for a precautionary check.

Mr Wheatley said: “He is alright now. He’s staying with relatives for the time being. He is such a polite man and was really grateful for my help. He kept saying thank you and his nephew kept shaking my hand.”

East Wycombe Independent councillor, Julia Wassell, was at the scene of last night’s fire.

She said: “I would like to say a very big thank you to Simon on behalf of Micklefield and relatives and friends of the gentleman who you saved. You are a real hero who just went out to get a takeaway and then took a great personal risk to rescue a neighbour.”

After two fires in one day in High Wycombe, both involving portable electric heaters, Bucks Fire and Rescue have issued safety advice, which you can view here.