A FATHER of three rescued his children from a blaze at their home.

Christopher Brereton pulled two-year-old Aaron, three-year-old Jamie and five-year-old Sarah to safety from the first floor of the house in West Street, Longford.

Mr Brereton leapt to action when he heard Sarah's screams from an upstairs room.

Christopher said: "I heard her screaming 'Daddy it's all black, I can't see'.

"I hadn't even smelt the smoke because my sinuses are blocked at the moment.

"It was a really terrifying experience, but adrenaline seemed to take over.

"I did a rescue course years ago and everything I was taught came flooding back. I just had to get the children out of there.

Little Jamie had sneaked into the upstairs room when he found an empty cigarette lighter. But there were enough fumes left in the lighter to spark the blaze which started on the bed and spread rapidly through the room.

When Sarah raised the alarm, Mr Brereton ran upstairs, grabbed Jamie and Aaron and carried them out of the house.

A neighbour looked after the children while Mr Brereton returned to the house to fight the fire.

The flames were under control before the fire brigade arrived.

The three children, their dad and grandad were taken to hospital and treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Mr Brereton added: "I'm planning on taking Jamie to the fire station to teach him about the dangers of fire. He was really scared by the flames and smoke so hopefully it's put him off for good."

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