A FIREFIGHTER who helped save a boy's life after a car accident and another who twice rescued a man from a blazing house are to be honoured for their bravery.

Walter Moore, of Teesside Airport Fire Rescue, is to receive a Royal Humane Society award after he kept alive three-year-old Ethan Blackburn, who suffered head injuries when he was thrown through a car windscreen.

Assistant Divisional Officer Moore, of Jenkins Drive, Bishop Auckland, County Dur-ham, was driving to a meeting in Teesside last November when he saw the overturned car near Newton Aycliffe.

Using his skills as a medical technician, Mr Moore stemmed the bleeding and cleared Ethan's airways of blood, keeping the toddler alive until an ambulance arrived.

Ethan, of Loraine Walk, Newton Aycliffe, needed 260 stitches and almost lost his life four times because of the severity of his injuries.

Mr Moore has also won the personal praise of the society secretary, Major General Christopher Tyler.

Maj Gen Tyler said: "If it was not for the way Mr Moore calmly took control of the situation he came upon, I dread to think what would have happened.

"His quick-thinking almost certainly saved that boy's life, and I am sure his family are eternally grateful."

Bishop Auckland firefighter Shaun Thompson was also off duty when he rescued a man from a house fire.

He was driving his son home from the dentist when he saw a girl standing outside the door and smoke coming from a bedroom window.

She told him her father was still in the house. He fought his way through the smoke-logged house and dragged the man outside.

But while Mr Thompson phoned the fire service, the man ran back upstairs, it is believed to retrieve his passport.

He went back into the house, which by this time was well alight, and again led the man to safety.

He is to receive a commendation from County Durham and Darlington Chief Fire Officer George Herbert for his bravery.

Acting leading firefighter at Bishop Auckland Ron Bainbridge said: "Shaun didn't say anything about this after it happened. He really deserves this award."