LANGLEY MILL FIRE: Hero teenager died battling to save young mum and baby from burning flat

Edward Green, 17, ran back into the flames after escaping the top-floor flat and realising pal Amy Smith, also 17, and her six-and-a-half-month-old daughter Ruby-Grace were still inside.

Amy’s boyfriend Shaun Gaunt, 18, was among six people to escape the blaze.

Friends paid tribute to hero Edward on Twitter.

Emily Conheeney wrote: “I didn’t know him for long but I knew him enough to know he was a down to earth and genuine lad. Our loss and heaven’s gain. RIP Ed Green.”

Chris Booth added: “RIP Ed Green. Taken way before his time.”

Police have officially named the victims of the fire, which happened in North Street at about 4am on Sunday.

A police cordon is in place on the road today as shocked neighbours leave floral tributes at the scene.

Ian Parkes said he and several other residents heard fire engines and rushed to the flat to try and help.

He added: “We wanted to assist but the flames and smoke were immense.

“We only moved here three weeks ago and it’s difficult to comprehend what’s happened.”

Annette Calladine said: “It’s shocking – you don’t expect this to happen on your street.”

Angela Watson said: “It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Some neighbours said they heard shouting outside the flat before the blaze broke out.

Police and the fire service have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the blaze. Arson has not been ruled out.

Unconfirmed reports suggest a car fire had spread to the flats.

A police spokesman said: “Investigating officers say they are keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire and have not ruled anything out at this early stage in the inquiry.

“Police are not in a position to give any further details of those who died in the fire as they are still tracing family members.”

Fire crews from Eastwood, Heanor, Ilkeston and Ripley, along with a high-rise ladder from Ascot Drive station in Derby, attended the incident.

John Dunkley, a watch manager with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS), tweeted on Sunday morning: “Terrible night shift. Thoughts with all personnel from all emergency services involved at Langley Mill.”

A DFRS spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and friends of the deceased.”

Two people from the affected property and a further three residents from adjacent flats managed to escape.

Five people were taken to hospital - four to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and one to the Royal Derby Hospital - for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Joe Garcia, associate director of operations at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “I would like to thank our crews for their hard work at this challenging job and express our condolences to the families of those involved.”

Several neighbouring properties had to be evacuated as the fire caused a gas leak.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.