Three brave Belmont men smashed their way into a burning flat to save their elderly neighbour from the flames inside.

Daniel Musgrove, Louis Lane and Tony Janaway were enjoying a Friday night drink when they smelt smoke and went to investigate at about 11.45pm.

They found a downstairs flat in their Brighton Road estate blazing after an arsonist poured flammable liquid through the letter box and set it on fire.

Hearing the 86-year-old woman shouting for help and seeing thick smoke coming from the windows, the trio immediately sprang into action to rescue their neighbour.

After breaking her bedroom window with a compost bin Mr Musgrove, 20, entered the burning building to get the frail pensioner out while Mr Janaway, 25, checked the front entrance and called emergency services. Mr Lane, 20, helped Mr Musgrove get her out of the window.

Mr Musgrove said: "We couldn't see any fire but we heard the old lady screaming. We saw smoke coming from her bedroom window so me and Louis jumped over the back fence and Tony ran round to check the front.

"I climbed through the window and couldn't see her at first because the smoke was so thick but then saw her sitting on her bed.

"I told her to walk towards the window but she said she couldn't walk very well so I took her by the hand and walked her to the window. Then I picked her up and passed her to Louis and then broke the rest of the window and got out.

"It was just instinct, I didn't think about what I was doing."

Mr Janaway said: "It was weird. As soon as we heard shouting we all just tried to get to her."

Luckily, the pensioner had recently had a smoke alarm fitted in her flat by the fire brigade, who had told her what to do in the event of a fire.

This woke her and feeling that her bedroom door was hot from the flames behind it, she opened her bedroom window and shouted for help. She is now in respite care but in good health.

The three men may receive a commendation from the police and the fire service for their bravery.

London Fire Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety Steve Turek said: "Getting a smoke alarm, regularly testing and maintaining it as well as planning your escape route in the event of a fire can dramatically decrease the risk of death or serious injury."

Sutton police are appealing to anyone who has information on this incident to call them on 020 8649 0740 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

To arrange a free home fire safety check call 0800 28 44 28.