A taxi driver has been praised for his bravery for rescuing a man whose elderly wife died in a blaze on Saturday evening.

The man is believed to have been picking up a neighbour in Fir Tree Close, Epsom Downs, when he spotted the fire in the detached house at about 8.15pm.

Risking his own life the driver entered the building and brought out David Bond.

A woman who lives in Fir Tree Close described the taxi driver as a "bit of a hero". A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman thanked the taxi driver for his brave actions.

A firefighter at Banstead fire station said the fire took hold on the ground floor of their detached house and also praised the taxi driver.

He said: "He's probably saved the life of that man. It was obviously a brave thing to do. It is not something we suggest, but you do what you have to do."

Devastated neighbours have paid tribute to Mr Bond's "lovely" wife who died in the fire.

Firemen wearing breathing apparatus managed to get her out of the burning building and tried to resuscitate her.

But despite their best efforts the woman, named locally as Patricia, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was taken to Epsom Hospital for treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.

About 50 per cent of the ground floor was severely damaged and the front room’s windows downstairs were boarded up today.

Neighbours paid tribute to Mrs Bond who was believed to be bedbound and had lived in the road for about 30 years with her husband who owns property in the area and is currently with their grown-up children.

One neighbour said: "We were in here and the next thing we knew fire engines had turned up. It’s a very tragic accident and a loving couple no more.

"She was a lovely lady and we have known them a long time. A tragic way to go. We are all upset."

Another neighbour had heard that a burning cigarette might have been left in a bin, but police referred questions to the fire service, which declined to comment on the cause at this stage. 

A police spokeswoman said: "Enquiries are under way with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire."

A neighbour said police closed the road and cordoned off the area.

She said: "We are all shocked and sad. A policeman came in and told me what happened."

Another said: "It’s an awful way to die. It’s sad. I think when they got in she was already overcome by the smoke."

A man who lives nearby described Mr Bond as a "nice chap" who had been out less and less in recent years. He said: "It’s a tragedy, it’s a sad loss."

Jeffrey Ali, owner of Le Raj in Fir Tree Road, said he "jogged" up to help when he heard about the fire, but the emergency services said the situation was in hand.

Mr Ali said: "The entire road was blocked with ambulances, fire trucks and police cars. Everyone got there really quickly. A cab driver actually tried to break into the house as the fire erupted to save the people inside."

He said the driver rescued the man, adding: "You never expect things like [the fire]. It’s a really quiet road. Nothing out of the ordinary happens."

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We sent two ambulances, an ambulance car and our hazardous area response team."

Police refused to confirm or deny the identity of the woman who died and referred questions to the coroner’s officer.

The coroner’s court could not confirm the name and said an inquest has not yet been opened.

Do you know more? Would you like to leave a tribute to Mrs Bond? Contact Alice Foster on 020 87226337 or leave a comment below.