A NEIGHBOUR is being hailed a hero after rescuing a pregnant mother and her toddler son from their burning home and carrying them down a ladder.

The woman, six months' pregnant, and her family, are said to be lucky to be alive after being trapped inside the property at Coundon Grange, County Durham, on Monday night.

She, her partner and their one-year-old son were sleeping upstairs at the home in Randolph Street when the fire broke out in the living room shortly before midnight.

Derrick Spencer, 38, who lives next door woke to the sound of the smoke alarm and ran to get help.

He borrowed a ladder from another neighbour and carried the woman and her young son down to safety from the upstairs bedroom window.

The father was helped down the ladder minutes later when firefighters arrived and all three were taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation.

"When I woke up and heard the fire alarm going off next door, instinct kicked in and I knew I had to go and help," Mr Spencer said.

"The pregnant woman was obviously very distressed when getting carried down the ladder and all the neighbours were very relieved once they were all safely on the street."

His wife, Lisa, 29, said: "The smoke alarm woke us up, then we heard lots of screaming, our own living room was filled with black smoke.

"All the neighbours came out to help the family and I think my husband did a great job of rescuing them, although he won't let me call him a hero, as he thinks it was what anyone would have done."

Steve Donnelly, district manager for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, who is investigating the incident, said: "This was a very serious fire and the family are extremely lucky to be alive.

"This kind of incident proves how vital is it to have a working smoke alarm fitted in your property as it was the first thing that woke them up."

Four breathing apparatus and a hose reel were used during the rescue.

Detective Sergeant Mark Willoughby, of Durham Police, said: "We can confirm that the father has been released from hospital and the mother and baby are still in for observation.

"The fire brigade and police crime scene officers are investigating the cause of the fire."

Free smoke alarms are available from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service. For more details, call 0191-332-4222.