A NEWPORT man whose sister was killed in Trevethin was hailed a hero after helping rescue a couple a from their burning home in Torquay.

Jon Stokoe, 22, who is living with friends in the town, helped save the neighbouring couple on Saturday.

Mr Stokoe’s sister Bobbie, 23, was found wrapped in a carpet on wasteground in Trevethin in August.

The Argus reported on Tuesday on how the man accused of her murder, Daryl Terrence Smith, was found dead in his Cardiff prison cell on Monday morning.

Mr Stokoe, who moved to Torquay in September for a fresh start, was one of three neighbours to rescue Gill and Michael Wojak before firefighters arrived.

The couple's two children, Stephani Wojak, 15, and Ben McAuliffe, eight, died in the blaze.

Mr Stokoe moved to Torquay in September to live with Lynne and Darral Plant and their five children.

Mr Stokoe was in his bedroom on Saturday morning when he saw a plume of smoke through the window.

Dressed in only tracksuit bottoms, he rushed outside to see a crowd gathering in nearby Ellacombe Church Road.

With the help of neighbours Steve Hale and Jason Taylor, Mr Stokoe got the couple out from their upstairs window.

Unable to get in the front of the Wojaks’ house, Mr Stokoe ran around the back and climbed up an eight foot wall.

He heard a woman shouting ‘help' and ran across the roof, dropping onto a window ledge.

Mr Stokoe stood on the ledge, holding the top half of the sash window up while his fellow rescuer reached inside so they could pull Mrs Wojak out.

Mr Stokoe then climbed into the house with a T-shirt over his mouth to try and get the children: “I only took three steps into the room and it was full of smoke and pitch black. I was all disorientated. Everyone outside was shouting ‘don’t go in.’”

Mr Stokoe said he was determined to try, adding: “I know in my heart I tried everything possible.”

He was given oxygen by paramedics and saw firefighters carry the children out of the house.

They were taken to Torbay Hospital where they later died.

Mrs Wojak thanked Mr Stokoe for saving her and her husband.

All three rescuers have been nominated for bravery awards.

Mrs Plant, best friend of Mr Stokoe’s mother Diane Enos, said firemen said if he had been just two minutes later, Mr and Mrs Wojak could have died from smoke inhalation.

The fire is being treated as accidental.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service said no smoke alarms were fitted and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause.