Blaze father praises son's brave action

Martin and Luke Putland were trapped upstairs in a back bedroom when flames erupted in the front hallway of their home in Cumberland Road, Sidley.

Martin paid tribute to Luke for the way he behaved during their terrifying ordeal.

Martin told the Observer: "I was woken by my son screaming.

"I could feel I was breathing in smoke. I called the fire brigade ... I can't explain how it was, I was on automatic pilot and I suppose the survival instinct kicked in."

He shouted to his son who couldn't see anything for smoke.

"Luke said - I've found my torch!"

"He got a wind-up torch for Christmas ... I said - good lad.

"He couldn't see me so I told him I was going to tap loudly on the bedroom door, and he was to crawl like a commando towards the sound.

"I said - when you get to the door, I will be able to see you and grab your hand."

"Then I could just make him out in the smoke. I said - I've got you."

Filled with emotion at the memory, Martin said: "It was just a nightmare. But you don't think about that at the time."

Police confirmed they were investigating an arson attack.