A hero window cleaner saved the life of a teenage girl who was trapped in a burning house.

The Good Samaritan then walked away without even leaving his name.

Freya Murphy, 18, said yesterday she desperately wanted to thank the man for his heroic act.

Singer Miss Murphy was trapped in her bedroom on the first floor of her parent's historic home in South Street, Lewes, after a chip pan fire broke out at 1pm on Saturday.

Miss Murphy said: "I opened my bedroom door and the house was filled with thick black smoke.

"I couldn't breathe and it was burning my eyes.

"I was terrified.

"A fire had ripped through the kitchen of their house spreading from a chip pan she had accidentally left on a lit hob.

Smoke had spread through the building, which was built alongside the River Ouse by the Lewes bargemaster in 1784.

Miss Murphy said: "I ran to my bedroom window and lent out screaming for someone to help.

"I couldn t turn around because the heat was so painful."

Her cries were heard by a window cleaner working at another house in the road who ran with his ladders and climbed up to carry her down.

He was helped by one of Miss Murphy s neighbours who saw what was happening and dialled 999.

Lewes Fire Station watch commander Martin Lusk, from: "The girl was lucky the window cleaner was there.

"We don t know who he was.

"He left when we arrived and didn t leave his name.

Miss Murphy was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and treated for smoke inhalation.

She was not seriously injured and spent the night in a hotel with her parents.

As she returned to see the gutted kitchen yesterday, Miss Murphy said: "I'd like to say thank you so much to that man. He saved my life. I am so grateful."

Do you know who the hero window cleaner was? Call The Argus newsdesk on 01273 544548.