Nacho Ruiz risked his own life yesterday morning to rescue an elderly neighbour from a block of flats in central Murcia following a gas explosion in the kitchen of one of the other residents - a 40 year old man, who sustained extensive burns.

Despite the risk of further explosions and with the stairwell rapidly filling up with smoke, Nacho made his way to his neighbour's third-floor apartment and carried the incapacitated old lady down the stairs to safety.

A large bandage covering his left hand and forearm is testament to his bravery - "as we got down to the first floor, the smoke was very dense and we couldn't see anything so I broke the window, took a large gulp of fresh air which helped us make it down to the street," explained Nacho, who sustained only one or two very minor cuts.

The photo shows two other evacuated residents waiting to be given permission to return home.