AS heroes go, Dan Davenport certainly ranks among the unlikeliest.
However, yesterday the unemployed 18-year-old who left school with few qualifications and minimal prospects became the toast of his council estate when he ran back into a blazing house to rescue his brother and sister.
Yesterday, the teenager who was renowned for skipping lessons and getting into trouble became better known for braving a wall of smoke and fire to rescue his eight-year-old brother Jake and his six-year-old sister, Autumn.
Speaking outside the charred remains of his family home, Dan said he was overwhelmed by the attention.
"I am still a bit shaken by it all. I don't really know what to say. It was just something I knew I had to do.
"I didn't really think too much about it.
"I just knew I had to make sure they were out."
The former Henry Cort School pupil also spoke of the moment he realised the family was in danger.
"I was upstairs watching a video when I heard my mum screaming for us all to get out.
"I got my sister out and then went back in for my brother.
"The smoke was really thick and black and I couldn't see very much or breathe very well but I knew I had to get them out."
Friends stopped Dan going back in again to rescue a kitten that was later found alive.
Dan, along with the five other members of his family who were in the house including his mum Wendy, older sister Donna and 18-month old nephew Josh, were all taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham where they discharged after being checked over.
As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo about 20 firefighters were called to deal with the fire that broke out in the kitchen of the home on Triumph Close about 7.30pm on Sunday.
Dan spent yesterday picking over the ruins of his wrecked home in a bid to salvage what he could.
Friend Nygel Hulbert, 18, who is also co-ordinating an appeal for secondhand items for the family, said: "I am proud to say that I know him and probably not many people would have expected him to do something like that.
"He was certainly braver than I would be.
"Everyone is rallying around and thanks to the appeal in the Daily Echo we have already had lots of pledges of things the family can use."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article