Hero neighbours save children from house blaze

Paul and Patricia Davies have been hailed heroes by firefighters for saving a five-year-old girl and her brothers, aged four and three, as flames ravaged the upstairs of the house.

"You just do what you have to do," said modest Paul, 52, who ran next door into the burning house in Masseyfield Road, Brookvale, after hearing shouting coming from next door.

"It just happened and that was it - I was glad that everybody got out in time."

The couple even had to re-enter the house after the youngest child had panicked and hidden in the front bedroom.

Neil Brookes, watch manager at Runcorn Fire Station, said: "I would like to commend the brave efforts of the next door neighbours.

"Their prompt action averted a far more serious incident. With little regard for their own safety, the couple came in and led the children out."

The fire, which happened at just after 8.30pm on Monday, started when the eldest child was playing with matches in a back bedroom. Her brothers were also upstairs at the time.

The smoke detector alerted her mum to the fire and she tried to tackle the blaze herself but it was uncontrollable.

Paramedics and Cheshire Fire Service were called at 8.45pm.

The 26-year-old mum was treated for shock.

Neil Brookes added: "The fire was well developed when we got there.

"Flames were coming out of the front and back windows. There was the potential for serious injury, even death."

"This shows the value of having working smoke detectors."

Firefighters were at the scene of the fire for three hours, which had caused considerable damage to the house. The family spent the evening with friends and neighbours.

Warning of the dangers of matches, Neil said: "If you do smoke, hide matches and lighters away from children.

"We do have a specialist service here called a fire safe scheme.

"We have trained counsellors who can come out and offer an education package.

"It has proven to be worth its weight in gold."