Neighbours in dramatic fire rescue bid

A mother and her two children were taken to hospital following a house fire which saw neighbours trying to rescue children by bursting into the burning building.

A four-year-old boy and his three-year-old brother were rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital after the blaze in Charnwood Road, Great Barr, at 9.30am yesterday.

The youngsters suffered 18 per cent and 12 per cent burns respectively, and smoke inhalation, and were put on life support by ambulance staff after being pulled from the burning house.

They were in a critical but stable condition today.

Their mother was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Sandwell Hospital.

The family's semi-detached house was ravaged by the fire, the cause of which is under investigation. Residents today said the children were trapped inside the building before being rescued by firefighters.