A TEENAGER helped save a man from a 30-foot drop after hearing his cries for help.

Rory Campbell heard noises next door to his home in Bonita Mews, off St Asaph Road, Brockley, on Sunday night.

When he went outside, he saw his neighbour climbing out of a front window of his second floor flat.

He then saw the man, who was covered in black soot, clinging to the window ledge, shouting for help.

The 15-year-old called the fire brigade and tried to calm the neighbour, who is in his 30s, until firefighters arrived.

The Academy at Peckham student said: "He was shouting help me, help me, get a ladder, get a ladder'.

"He was a bit hysterical.

"I didn't have time to think. I just tried to calm him by telling him the fire brigade was on its way."

Rory was told by the man that the fire had been caused by a candle falling over.

Fire crews from New Cross, Peckham, Lewisham and Forest Hill rescued the man by ladder and got the fire under control within minutes of arriving.

He was taken to a south London hospital where he is still recovering from smoke inhalation.

There was 25 per cent fire damage done to the flat.

A burnt-out mattress and other debris was left strewn outside the property.

Rory, who has ambitions to study music, added: "As the man walked past me, he said thanks' and that meant a lot to me.

"I do feel good that I helped save his life. I suppose I'm a bit of a hero."

Another neighbour, who wants to remain anonymous, added: "I heard a lot of noise but thought it was the railway opposite. I couldn't believe it when I saw the man hanging from his window.

"The boy next door really did save his life by calling the fire brigage."

Investigating fire officer Mic Beesley said: "If it had not been for the smoke alarm in the first place, nobody would have seen him and it could have been a far more tragic incident.

"There are on-going inquiries into the cause of the fire."

Cabinet member for community safety Crada Onuegbu said: "I will definitely be making a recommendation for this act of bravery to the police.

"It was another positive thing which a young person has done in our community. I applaud Rory's courage."