Kevin Davies and Tracey Enticott in the fire-damaged entrance to their flat yesterday. (Pictures by Steve Sarre, 0658572)

THE swift actions of three people saved the lives of Kevin Davies and his fiancee, Tracey Enticott. Just after 2am on Sunday, the entrance to their flat above the Sitar Indian Restaurant in Lower Vauvert was set alight.

The couple woke to find their home filled with smoke and opted to escape via a top floor bedroom window. Mr Davies and Miss Enticott were left holding on to the window, shouting fire and hoping for help to arrive.

Uma Ali, from the restaurant, and Kevin Le Poidevin were soon on the scene, with Mr Le Poidevin running up Mill Street barefoot. Both smashed through the glass on the door and put out the fire.

‘We had to do it,’ said Mr Ali. ‘It was for the sake of human life. If there was nobody there I wouldn’t have cared if the place had burnt down. You have to put life first.’

Once the fire was extinguished a neighbour who was an ex-fireman ran into the building and pulled them to safety. Like Mr Davies and Miss Enticott, he was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The couple thanked those who had helped including the Fire & Rescue Service and Ambulance and Rescue Service.

But both said they were especially grateful to the three men who had come to their aid. ‘They saved our lives,’ said Mr Davies. ‘I’m glad to be alive. It’s as simple as that.’