A hero paperboy helped alert pensioners to a blaze which killed their nonagenarian neighbours, allowing the couple to escape before the fire engulfed their adjoining bungalow.

Joel Hart was delivering the Daily Mail to tragic Len Hall, 96, and wife Pat, 93, when he heard the couple’s smoke alarm ringing and smelled smoke as he opened their letterbox.

Unable to see inside the property as the blinds were down, the 15-year-old frantically began ringing the doorbell of the Mistrys who lived next door, allowing them to flee to safety.

The schoolboy said: ‘I heard the alarm and could smell burning as soon as I opened the letterbox but when I looked through it I couldn’t see any flames or smoke.

‘I thought I need to tell the neighbours as something was wrong. I’m just glad I was able to help and they were able to get out, but it’s really sad that two people died.’

Joel said the neighbour, Bhanumati Mistry, went straight to the Halls’ son who lives on the same road in Rugby, Warwickshire, to alert him to the blaze. 

The teenager, who attends Harris Church of England Academy school in the town, then dialled 999 and waited at the scene until fire crews and police arrived.

He told how he saw Mr Hall, 62, attempt to make his way inside the back door of the bungalow to look for his parents, only to be beaten back by smoke.

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