A Whangarei woman dubbed the "real hero" hopes a senior citizen she rescued from an unattended cooking fire makes a speedy recovery so the pair can meet in less traumatic circumstances.
Diane Foote of Otangarei was walking her dogs, Minty and Summer, through a park after work last Friday when she spotted smoke billowing from a house along Churchill St, bordering the park.
The occupant, an 86-year-old woman who lived alone, was frying chips when the oil caught fire and she was badly burnt after picking it up by the handle.
The woman then put the pot in the sink and turned on the tap in an attempt to put out the fire but suffered more burns after the oil exploded upon contact with water.
Ms Foote said she didn't normally take the route she took on Friday, but is glad she did.