A HERO firefighter is reaping the benefits of the thousands of pounds the people of Bolton raised for a fire service charity.

Steve Morris suffered serious burns when he battled through flames in a bid to rescue a family from a house fire in Great Lever, last June.

Hameeda Begum, aged 71, died on the night of the fire and her four-year-old grand-daughter Alana Mian died in hospital six weeks later. Alana’s mum, Saima, suffered serious injuries, but has since been able to return to her home in Australia.

Mr Morris, based at Bolton Central fire station, spent eight months in hospital recovering from extensive injuries.

He is now spending two weeks at Jubilee House — The Firefighters Charity’s rehabilitation centre in Cumbria. He is undergoing a regime of exercises tailored to his injuries.

The centre is funded entirely by the charity, which relies on fundraising and donations from members of the public, including the thousands of pounds raised in Bolton.

Mr Morris’ brother-in-law, Gary Dewar, said: “He is working really hard up there — it’s no holiday camp. He has a strict physical training regime to follow every day. He’s been in the swimming pool, which is fantastic for him.

“Jubilee House is a wonderful place for Steve and other injured firefighters and their families. But Steve and the others wouldn’t be able to go there without the charity.

“Steve and the whole family is really grateful to everyone who was kind enough to help the charity, after hearing about what happened to him.”

The blaze at the Begum family house, in Little Holme Walk, is thought to have been started by arsonists.

Five people arrested in connection with the blaze have been re-bailed until Thursday, April 30.