A Hunter Valley teenager says he was in the right place at the right time when he helped a 92-year-old woman to safety as her home was engulfed in flames.

Luke Mullard, 13, was on his way home from school when he heard a bang and saw a big cloud of smoke.

"I jumped off the bus and ran down and saw this elderly woman," he said.

Roma Wilson's house and a van parked in the driveway went up in flames on November 13.

Thick black smoke was billowing from the property in Thornton when Mr Mullard arrived on scene and called Triple Zero (000).

"I walked around the grass area and the side fence and saw Roma. I tried to get her out, and literally 30 seconds later, there was a massive explosion,"

he said.

"She kept on yelling for help, and no-one could actually hear her because of the explosion

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