Aaron McGuinness, 15, of The Crescent, Stainland, was on his round when he saw smoke billowing through a letterbox.

A pan had been left on a stove while the owner of the house, in Bradley View, Holywell Green, popped out.

"I went to put the paper in the letterbox. As I pushed it open I could smell smoke," Aaron said.

"I looked through and could see all the smoke in the house.

"I started knocking on the door and ringing the bell but nobody answered. Everything just happened really quickly."

Aaron, a pupil at Brooksbank School, Elland, raced to the next door neighbour's and asked her to ring the fire service.

The neighbour knew the house owner was not in but Aaron was determined not to let the fire take hold.

He said: "The door was locked and at first I couldn't see how to get in but then I found the kitchen window open and the man's neighbour got me a stool and I climbed in.

"I saw the pan on the stove. Smoke was everywhere but I just got hold of the pan and moved it on to the cold plate.

"I've ruined my favourite top but it was all worth it."

Aaron managed to climb back out of the kitchen window but his adventure was not over.

When firefighters arrived from Halifax and Elland they needed to get back in the house. Not wanting the firemen to batter the door down, Aaron jumped back in through the window and opened the front door to let them in.

The home owner Stanley Forshaw came back moments after the incident.

"He was just really grateful and just kept saying 'Thank you for saving my house.' My mum's really proud – it's all she's talking about at the moment," Aaron said.

Mr Forshaw had put some eggs on for tea but got distracted and went out.

On his way back he saw two fire engines speed past him and was amazed to hear about what Aaron had done.

Aaron has been a paperboy for two years and works for Stainland Post Office.