A tree surgeon saved an elderly woman from a burning building.

Bollington resident Ben Moorhouse has been showered with praise after risking his life to rescue a woman from a house fire.

Many residents have called for Ben to be put forward for an MBE in recognition of his service to the town.

But for Ben, his actions have never been about reward.

"I have always had the mindset that if something needs doing and I am able to do it, I will," he said.

"I have, and always will, put others first as it's in my nature and how I have been brought up.

"I am a reservist in the Royal Air Force, and one of the core values of the RAF is Service Before Self, which I wholeheartedly believe in. Not just for my military career, but in everyday life.

"Putting others before yourself and knowing your actions have helped another is enough of an award."

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Ben (left) and Nathan (right) were pruning a tree when the fire began (Credit: Supplied)

Ben and his colleague Nathan Reed were pruning a tree on Rugby Drive in Tytherington on Thursday, March 5, when they heard a fire alarm going off.

Thinking it was simply a case of some burnt toast, they thought nothing of it at first.

That was until a second alarm went off.

After seeing smoke come out of the house next door, Ben abseiled out of the tree as Nathan rang 999.

Knowing an elderly lady lived there and with all the doors locked, Ben grabbed a hammer from his truck and smashed a window to gain access to the property.

He said: "At this point we were faced with a wall of dense, acrid smoke.

"I went inside to see if I could find the source of fire which I did, in a room next to the stairs with the door wide open and funnelling the smoke throughout the house. 

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"I shouted to see if the lady was responsive and got a reply of 'I'm upstairs'."

Ben went and filled a bucket with water before attempting to suppress the fire, hoping to buy some time before the fire service arrived.

He added: "I went upstairs to try and locate the lady but it was so dark I could hardly see.

"The air was almost unbreathable, so I had to come out for air. 

"I told Nathan to wait by the door in case I needed him but keeping him safe as I went back in, upstairs, and managed to find my way into the bedroom where I found her sat on the bed.

"I told her she would be alright and carefully, but probably not very dignifiedly, bear hugged her from behind and carried her downstairs and out of the house."

Thankfully, as Ben got to the bottom of the stairs the fire service arrived.

Ben is a reservist in the Royal Air Force (Credit: Supplied)

Ben and the property's resident were taken to Macclesfield District General Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

He said "I spoke with a family member of the lady on Saturday who told me she was doing very well and out of hospital, which was really good to hear!"

Following the fire, Bollington Town Councill took to social media to praise Ben for his 'extraordinary bravery'.

"Ben is well known throughout Bollington for his kindness, reliability, and willingness to help others," reads the Facebook post.

"His actions exemplify the very best of our community spirit, demonstrating courage, compassion, and an instinctive commitment to those around him."

More than 70 people commented on the post, many calling for Ben to receive some formal recognition.

One resident wrote: "This young man needs to be recognised properly for all he does for the community. This guy is an absolute legend!"

Another added: "What a great guy. Always helping out, about time he got some recognition. Well done Ben."