TWO brave girls who helped rescue a mother and two babies from a fire on their way to school have spoken about their act of courage.

Darwen Vale pupils Cherrelle Wright, 13, and Kirsty Smith, 12, were walking to catch a bus into Darwen when they spotted smoke rising from Abraham Street, yards away from their own homes.

Cherrelle, of Smalley Way, said: "We were walking to the main road where we catch the cemetery bus to school. We saw the smoke and we couldn't believe it at first."

The girls ran to the scene where they found a house in flames and a woman attempting to escape the blaze.

Kirsty, of Honey Hole, said: "She was banging on the window trying to get out because she couldn't open the door."

The woman smashed her front window and handed over her two baby boys to the girls.

Cherrelle said: "We helped to get them out and we put our blazers on them because they were only wearing nappies and T-shirts. They were crying so we thought it would be the right thing to do.

"We then helped the woman out."

The girls contacted the fire brigade as soon as the mother and her babies were out of the house, on Thursday, May 22. Neighbours Margaret and Alan Pickin also came to the rescue, with their nine-year-old grandson, Jordan, calling for an ambulance.

The schoolgirls left the scene after the ambulance arrived and then jumped on a bus to school, arriving 20 minutes late.

Philomena Hughes, the school's learning mentor, signed the girls in late.

She said: "They told me all about it and I was so proud. They are a great asset to the school."

Lynn Dunning, headteacher, said: "We encourage our pupils to act in a mature way at all times and to be particularly aware of their role as responsible citizens.

"The actions of these two pupils are highly commendable and we are very proud that they acted in such a responsible way.

"We are all impressed by the way in which Cherrelle and Kirsty responded to such a difficult situation."

Emergency services were also quick to praise the girls.

Leading firefighter Ian Turnbull said: "The girls assisted the people who were trapped in the fire and for that they should be highly praised. They are a credit to their community."

Eilean Aindow , Blackburn paramedic, said: "The girls did a superb job and acted in a very unselfish manner. They did exactly the right thing."

The investigation into the fire is on-going but firefighters have ruled out suspicious circumstances.