A police officer courageously went into a fire-ravaged building to help pull a couple to safety.

When Pc Sarah Hogan arrived first on the scene and discovered the pair were trapped in the burning second-storey flat, there was no doubt in her mind what she needed to do.

With the fire service yet to arrive, she fought her way into the block of flats in Grassington Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, and pulled a 42-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman to safety.

Pc Hogan was taken with the couple to Leicester Royal Infirmary to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

She was discharged in the early hours of yesterday while the man was allowed home late yesterday afternoon.

The woman remains in hospital and is said to be in a "poorly but stable" condition.

It took around 20 firefighters to extinguish the blaze, which gutted the flat.

Emergency services were called at 10.10pm on Tuesday.

Pc Hogan, who is based at Beaumont Leys police station, arrived on the street to find the house shrouded in smoke.

She said: "I started shouting to people to ask if there was anyone inside the flat and they said there were two people.

"I didn't really think about it. "Something just took over and I ran into the flats and up about four flights of stairs.

"As I was getting higher the smoke was getting thicker and then I saw a man and woman just outside their flat in the communal stairway."

Pc Hogan led the pair down the stairs so all three were on the ground by the time five fire appliances arrived.

She said she would not hesitate to do the same again.

Pc Hogan added: "It was a really frightening experience because while I was helping the man and woman to safety I didn't know if anyone else was trapped."

Beaumont Leys station commander Inspector George Wells said he was proud of Pc Hogan's selfless actions.

He said: "She obviously realised the risks involved but put the safety of members of the public ahead of her own safety."

An investigation by the fire service concluded that the fire had been started accidentally, although no further details were released as to how it began at this stage.

Crews returned to the scene yesterday morning to make sure the building was safe.

Neighbour John Buswell, 86, said: "I went to take my dog for a walk at about 10.30pm and there was smoke covering the whole area and fire engines all over. It looked to be a serious fire."

Firefighters praised the bravery of Pc Hogan but warned entering a burning building could be fatal.

Station Manager John Ong, from Western station, in Leicester, said: "Although Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service praises the police officer for assisting in the rescue of two casualties, we would not recommend anybody to enter a burning building.

"All smoke given off by fires in the home contains toxic chemicals and breathing this is very dangerous.

"Leicestershire firefighters will only enter burning premises wearing breathing apparatus."