HERO Brian Dodds saved the life of a Morecambe man this week armed only with knowledge learned from watching the television. Now, fire chiefs in the town are recommending the contract worker for a bravery award after he dragged the unconscious body of Michael Docherty from his smoke-filled Morecambe flat. Brian, 42, was on his way to work on Monday morning when he noticed smoke pouring out from the block of flats on Chatsworth Road.

And using only fire safety tips picked up from a TV show, he burst through the front door and pulled one of the victims to safety while a colleague raised the alarm.

The brave father-of-three from Newcastle said: "I got inside and started up the stairs, banging on all the doors and shouting everyone to leave. One family had four small children. They all looked confused so I made them leave rather forcefully."

The thick smoke soon started to choke him so Brian put into practice a trick he had only ever seen on the screen.

He explained: "I have just come back from South Africa where we used to have a programme called Emergency 911 - it showed that situation many times, so I knew I had to stay low where there's no smoke.

"There was about a foot off the floor where the air was clear, so I crawled on my stomach and felt around to see if anyone was there."

At first he thought the flat where the fire started was empty, but then he heard cries and went back inside where he found Michael Docherty, lying on the floor.

The modest hero admits he was terrified by the ordeal. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't," he confessed, "I hope I don't ever have to do it again."

Mr Docherty was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation, but was later released. The fire is thought to have been started by a cigarette. Mr Docherty's mattress and bedding were destroyed in the blaze.

Assistant Divisional Officer Bob Gleeson, from Lancaster fire station, said: "It was very brave for someone who hasn't had any formal training to enter a smoke-logged building.

"He could have waited for the fire engine to have turned up, so it was a courageous act.

"The officer in charge is recommending to the Chief Fire Officer that Brian's brave actions be recognised."

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