FIREFIGHTERS have praised neighbours who rescued a pregant woman and her three -year-old niece from their burning home yesterday.
The woman threw the child from the first-floor window of the house into the arms of Ernie Robinson when the fire broke out in Chestnut Crescent, Marley Pots, Sunderland, at 7.15am yesterday.
Mr Robinson and two other neighbours then helped the woman clamber to safety from the window.
The two were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital suffering smoke inhalation. Firefighters said it could have been a tragedy if it was not for their neighbours' brave actions.
The fire destroyed the living room, while the rest of the semi-detached home was severely smoke damaged.
Fire investigation officers were looking into the cause of the blaze today.
Praising the neighbours, Station Officer David Linsleysaid : "They all did a brilliant job. Without their assistance, you could have been looking at fatalities."
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