A dad and his 19-month-old son died in a house blaze while the tot's mum was out celebrating her birthday.

Brian Brummitt, 31, and toddler Joshua were dragged unconscious by firemen from the house in Balmoral Avenue, Banbury, in the early hours yesterday. Ambulance crews tried in vain to revive them.

But family friend Martin Stowe, 13, was revealed as a hero after he escaped from the house, taking four-year-old Benjamin Brummitt.

One neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said: "Vicky, their mum, was out because it was her birthday. Brian was unemployed and looking after the kids. It's awful."

Banbury station officer John Baird said: "We found the child within seconds. He was unconscious and we left him for the ambulance crew to try and revive.

"I went into the ground floor and found the father in the kitchen and dragged him out. But neither survived."

Assistant divisional officer Nigel Robinson told the Oxford Mail fire crews were still coming to terms with the tragedy when they were called to another blaze.

Firefighters rescued 41-year-old Stuart Saunders and his girlfriend from a semi-detached house in Howard Road.Mr Robinson said: "It was quite poignant that having come back feeling frustrated at their efforts in the first rescue, they go out within five hours and save the lives of two people in another property."

Police are investigating the death blaze.

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