Family's rescuer 'a hero'

A Paeroa man who dragged a woman and her two children from their burning home has been hailed as a hero by the Fire Service.

Realising his neighbour's house was on fire on Wednesday morning, Wayne Ashby ran over and smashed a window before dragging the family through it to safety.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty Fire safety officer Malcolm Langdon said Mr Ashby's actions "most certainly" saved the family's lives.

Mr Langdon said a 4-year-old girl playing with a lighter started the fire in the lounge of the rented Te Moananui Flat Rd home, which was destroyed in the blaze.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said she was heartbroken to lose everything in the fire.