Self-employed electrician Chris Ellis pulled John Rayner from his home in Scalby Road, Scarborough, after his washing machine exploded and set his house alight.
Mr Rayner was taken to Scarborough Hospital with burns to his face and suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
The fire broke out on Christmas Eve at 2.30pm. Mr Ellis, a father-of-three boys, said: “When I opened the side door the smoke just got me. I was coughing and spluttering and it was pitch black.
“I was shouting his name and there was no answer. I saw his feet and knew we couldn’t leave him there.”
Mr Ellis was alerted to the fire by his wife Joanne, who thought it was rubbish burning.
Mr Rayner is a well-known former local referee, has three sons and used to work for Drabble and Co in Albemarle Crescent, Scarborough.
He is expected to be in hospital for at least another two weeks.
Firefighters say an electrical fault with the washing machine is the likely cause of the blaze
From Scarborough Today