THERE are often two sides to every story.

There are few things as tragic as a person dying in a house fire, and the people of Northleach, and this community in particular, have been left reeling.

The late victim, thought to be born and bred in the Cotswolds, will be rightly remembered by neighbours.

Yet, out of this terrible tragedy emerged a story of true heroism.

Two teenagers who saw someone in need went to the rescue despite the risk to their own safety.

We would all like to think that, faced with a burning house, we would do the same thing, but perhaps these schoolboys would put one or two of us to shame.

Fire officers were in Northleach on Tuesday morning spreading the shocking news.

More than anything, they were imparting the important message to take precautions.

Firefighters do a dangerous job day-in day-out and they would be the first to tell you they are the last link in a long chain.

If they could have their way there would be no fires at all and they would rather be unemployed than have even one more preventable death.

Fire station budgets are being squeezed, but Northleach residents were quick to praise the speed and efficiency of the firefighters that rushed to the bungalow.

These crews, along with the two young have-a-go-heroes, deserve our gratitude.