AN AU pair who led three children to safety after a fire broke out at a house in Accrington early on Sunday morning has been praised for her quick thinking by the Fire Brigade.

Jasper Tattersall, 13, his brother Judson, 10, and their chum Joshua Brady, 12, were fast asleep in the house in Hollins Lane when Slovakian au pair Rumana Kasmarova, 26, spotted smoke coming from underneath the door of their parents' bedroom. She woke the boys and shepherded them to safety outside after they had grabbed their clothes.

The Tattersalls' parents Michael, 39, and Louise, 41, were out on a Valentine's night celebration at the time. They rushed home after being alerted by Rumana and found the youngsters safe and sound in the back of a fire engine.

A fire service spokesman said: "This could well have been a tragedy but a smoke alarm was fitted in the house and the au pair did all the right things. She is a bit of a heroine and is to be congratulated."

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