A mother has thanked the brave neighbour who saved her baby after a fire broke out in her flat's kitchen.

Grateful - Angela Williams with baby Louise Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE

Baby Louise Tompsett was saved by neighbour Richard Smith when fire broke out in the flat in Church Street, Bocking.

Mr Smith heard the screams of Louise's mother, Angela Williams, 21, who was forced out of the flat by the smoke.

Miss Williams was cooking in the kitchen and had left it for a moment to go into the bedroom when the blaze started.

She said the smoke was so thick in the front room where nine-month-old Louise was, she could not see where she was going.

Miss Williams jumped out, raised the alarm and Mr Smith, 55, came to the rescue.

He climbed in, passed the baby girl out to neighbours and then put the small fire out himself.

Published Wednesday August 4, 2004

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