The explosion sent liquid iron hot coke and ash everywhere

Three people died and 12 others were injured when blast furnace number five exploded in November 2001.

The Corus works rescue team were on call during their shift to respond to any emergency within the plant.

They have been shortlisted for an award after saving the lives of several people trapped by the furnace explosion.

The judges feel that the Corus works rescue team strongly deserve to be recognised for their outstanding actions Gavin Darby

They are among 20 semi-finalists in the Life Savers Awards for their act of bravery.

The rescue team were praised for working tirelessly alongside the fire brigade in atrocious conditions to search for injured colleagues amongst the remains of the furnace.

Together with other employees they worked through the night, trying to locate their missing colleagues.

The blast - the worst accident in the steel industry since 1975 - claimed the lives of Stephen Galsworthy, who was 25, Andrew Hutin, 20, and Len Radford, 53.

A panel of judges will now select the 10 most outstanding life savers for national recognition.

Gavin Darby, from sponsors Vodafone, said: "So many of this year's nominations are extraordinary examples of human compassion and bravery - it has been a remarkably humbling experience for all of the judges involved.

"Selecting the national shortlist has been an extremely difficult task, however the judges feel that the Corus works rescue team strongly deserve to be recognised for their outstanding actions in saving the life of another."

The life savers will be invited to a Downing Street reception hosted by Tony Blair.