Schoolboy hero Martin Stowe battled to save a four-year-old from the blaze which claimed the lives of a dad and his 19-month-old son.

Martin, 13, managed to escape the blaze by climbing out of a window and encouraged little Benjamin Brummitt, four, to follow him to safety.

The youngster's dad, 31-year-old Brian Brummitt, and his 19-month-old brother Joshua died in the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Martin was staying at the house, in Balmoral Avenue on Banbury's Bretch Hill estate, when the fire started. Neighbours alerted the emergency services at 12.40am yesterday.

Assistant Divisional Officer for Oxfordshire Fire Service, Nigel Robinson, said: "The 13-year-old did get himself out of the kitchen window and encouraged the four-year-old to come out behind him.

"He did a very good job. I think it was instinct."

He added that if smoke detectors had been fitted and were in working order, the alarm could have been raised earlier.

Banbury station officer John Baird said there was extensive smoke and heat damage throughout the semi-detached house.

"There is a joint fire and police investigation," added Mr Baird.

"We have no reason to believe that it was suspicious.

"Potentially, we are looking at children playing with smoker's materials, matches or a lighter," he added.

Two firefighters were slightly burned in the rescue attempt and two others suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation after they took the unconscious toddler out of the property.

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