Fire rescue hero praised

8:40am Wednesday 11th April 2007

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A YOUNG dad was hailed a hero after fighting back flames and smoke to rescue a two-year-old boy.

Darren Miller, aged 18, leapt into action when he discovered a neighbour's house in Fortune Street, Great Lever, was on fire.

Mr Miller found toddler Keanu Joyce semi-conscious on the first floor hallway of the house after running to his aid.

The boy's distraught mum, Terri, aged 23, had already rescued her other son, three-month-old, Brandon, from the blaze, but burned her arm and face in the process.

Firefighters believe the blaze was sparked by the toddler playing with a lighter in his bedroom.

Bolton Central watch manager Kevin O'Connor said: "This was a very close call and I think it's a miracle no one died.

"Darren saved the child's life and for someone so young and inexperienced his actions were truly exceptional.

"From what we understand, Keanu managed to get his hands on a cigarette lighter and set fire to his play pen.

"I only hope this incident will drive home the necessity of having a working smoke alarm, which we will provide and install free of charge."

Keanu's mother and grandmother Wendy Bogart, aged 42, were sleeping when the fire broke out at 8am yesterday in a back bedroom shared by Keanu and Brandon.

The young mum managed to rescue her baby son, who was sleeping in a Moses basket by the bedroom door but was unable to find Keanu.

Beaten back by the flames and suffering from burns to her face and arms, she fled the house.

She alerted neighbour Mr Miller to the blaze and he raced across the road to carry out the dramatic rescue.

Mr Miller, who hopes to become a firefighter, said: "Terri was hysterical. It all happened very quickly.

"There was thick black smoke and I could just about see Keanu at the top of the stairs. I covered my face with a cloth, ran in, grabbed him and brought him outside."

The brave teenager then went back into the house, closed the bedroom door and put towels down to contain the fire.

All four family members were taken by ambulance to The Royal Bolton Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Brandon was admitted to hospital and was last night said to be in a stable condition. The other family members were released.

Mr Miller, who is currently working as a painter and decorator, and has a five-month-old daughter, Nicha, said: "It was instinctive to go in, it just had to be done. They are like family to me."