A FIREFIGHTER who wrestled a drunk who thought he was a burglar has been awarded after spending 20 years extinguishing blazes.

Mark Archer, 47, of Chingford Fire Station in The Ridgeway, was awarded a medal for his long service and good conduct during his two decades with the London Fire Brigade.

He said: "A man under the influence of alcohol had burnt his sausages and fallen asleep. As the kitchen fire raged myself and a colleague wearing breathing apparatus found him passed out on the settee.

"As I went to wake him up, he attacked me thinking I was a masked burglar. We ended up wrestling in his living room while the fire raged around us.

"He eventually passed out and I managed to carry him out to safety."

Mr Archer, of Dale View Avenue, has served at Leytonstone, Hendon and Holloway fire stations throughout his career.

He added: "I would recommend a career in the fire brigade to anybody who doesn't mind heights, unsociable hours and lack of sleep.

"In fact, my own daughter is looking for a career as a fire-fighter."

He was presented with his medal by London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson at a ceremony at the Fire Brigade's training centre in Southwark.