'Thank you for saving my life'

The Argus revealed yesterday how Parcelforce worker Mike Parfitt helped rescue Heather Perrott-Douglas (pictured) from a fire in Eton Road, Maindee, on Monday.

He grabbed a ladder and smashed bedroom windows to rescue the 15-year-old, who was trapped inside the house after trying to rescue her mother, Carole.

Mr Parfitt, a 36-year-old father-of-two from Markham Crescent, Oakdale, broke Heather's fall as she jumped from the building.

She is recovering in the Royal Gwent Hospital, after suffering from a collapsed lung following smoke inhalation, but is expected home within the next few days. Heather told the Argus: "I think he's really brave for rescuing me and he deserves some sort of award.

"I want to say thank you for saving my life."

Her father David, a 45-year-old lorry driver for Wilkinsons, said: "He had the clarity of thought to know what to do when we were in need. I owe him my daughter's life and thanks does not come close to expressing what he has done.

"He did what he had to do and came and went - a bit like Superman." Heather's mother, Carole, 41, who works the night shift at the Shell garage, Chepstow Road, said: "Heather woke me up and saved my life.

"The others had tried to get to me several times but were beaten back by the smoke. "There was thick smoke everywhere and it was hard to see anything.

"I grabbed Heather's T-shirt and after three or four attempts I managed to get down the stairs and outside the front door.

"I lost hold of her T-shirt and assumed she was behind me but she got scared and retreated to the bedroom at the front of the house."

Brothers Aaron, 14, and Jason, 12, were unhurt. Mr Parfitt told the Argus: "I just did what anyone else would have done." The family also thanked emergency services and neighbours for their help.