Brave neighbours staged a daring rescue in order to save the lives of a mum and her two young sons from their blazing Rayne home.

A fire broke out in the Rayne home of Suzanne Kardhordo at around 2am on Friday due to an electrical fault on a tumble dryer.

Her sons Ross, eight, and Grant, six, raised the alarm when they were awoken by smoke and managed to open a bedroom window at the rear of their house in The Street, Rayne.

It is the second time they have helped to save their mother's life. The family hit the headlines last year when Grant and Ross saved their mother's life after she fainted at the wheel of her car. They steered the vehicle to safety and were presented with bravery awards as a result of their actions.

Today, the family were unable to reach their telephone and screamed for help from the window.

Neighbours Colin Miles and Neal Lyddiatt heard their cries and raced to the back of the house. They hoisted a ladder up to the window and encouraged the young family to climb down.

Mrs Kardhordo, 34, and her sons were taken next door where Rachel Miles, Colin's wife, looked after them.

Mr Miles added: "I heard lots of screaming and saw what was happening through a window. I was worried that the kitchen window was going to blow through at any minute.

"The heat was so intense because we were that close to the house."

Mr Lyddiatt, who lives in Medley Road, was staying with his partner in Hance Lane. He attempted to break the lock on the front door but when that failed he joined Mr Miles at the rear of the house.

Firecrews from Braintree and Dunmow raced to the scene after they were contacted by police. Steve Wintrip, sub officer at Braintree fire station, praised the actions of the two heroes.

"We had it under control after about 20 minutes but the house is a real mess. The neighbours who saved Mrs Kardhordo and her sons deserve a great deal of credit."

Mrs Kardhordo and her sons were taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, and treated for shock and smoke inhalation. Mrs Miles was also treated at the hopsital although she was not involved in the rescue.

Mrs Miles has since been discharged and the Kardhordo's are now "doing fine".

The fire damaged home

(Right) Brave - neighbour Colin Miles

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