Hero neighbours rescue children

The youngsters were thrown to safety from the upper window

The neighbours who helped rescue a young Dundee family from an early morning blaze have been praised by firefighters.

They managed to catch the three children, aged one, three and four, who were thrown from the first floor window of the burning house in Balmuir Road.

One man, who had lost his own daughter in a fire a decade ago, broke his wrist as he caught the 30-year-old mother.

The family dog was also rescued by firefighters and given oxygen.

The emergency services were called to the house just before 0500 GMT by a man walking his dog.

'Very courageous'

It is thought a socket adaptor had overheated and the fire then spread to nearby clothing.

Pauline Fotheringham then had to throw four-year-old Thea-Jean, Rebekkah, aged three, and one-year-old Rhonan out of the top window.

She then leapt from the window herself and was caught by next door neighbour, Robert Duncan.

The 56-year-old, whose daughter was killed in a suspicious fire in 1997, broke his wrist during the rescue.

Mr Duncan said: "The kitchen was blown right out, kind of 15/20ft in the air, the flames were coming right out the window.

"The mother was very courageous because she was definitely not leaving the house if the kids weren't safe.

Fire services were called to the home shortly before 0500 GMT

"I think that all my neighbours deserve a pat on the back for the way they conducted themselves.

"I was unlucky I got hurt, but I would've lost my arm to save the kid and I'm really proud of my neighbours for the work they did."

Martin Tait of Tayside Fire and Rescue said if it had not been for the neighbours' actions the family might not have escaped.

He said: "It's a miracle that nobody was injured at all.

"They played a huge part in making sure that there was nobody injured."

A smoke alarm had been fitted in the family home but it was not working.

Mr Tait said: "This is a stark reminder, go check your smoke alarms today, make sure they're in full working order."

Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue Service have launched a joint investigation.