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.
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Hide AdMartin 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.
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Hide Ad"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.