AN au pair today spoke about how she helped rescue three boys from a burning house.

The fire broke out under the floorboards of the house in Hollins Lane, Accrington, in the early hours of Saturday.

Slovakian au pair Romana Kazmerova, 26, was alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm and roused the three sleeping youngsters in her care -- brothers Jasper, 13, and Judson Tattersall, 10, and their pal Joshua Brady, 12.

She escorted them from the smoke-filled house in her pyjamas and slippers, before calling the emergency services.

Parents Mick and Louise Tattersall, who were on a Valentine's night out, said: "Romana's our heroine."

And firefighters said her quick-thinking actions probably saved the lives of the three boys.

Romana said she had just gone to bed and was about to fall asleep, when she smelled burning, then heard the smoke alarm.

She said: "I jumped out of bed and checked the rooms. I realised a fire was burning under the floorboards upstairs and shouted at the children to wake up.

"They were a bit confused at first, but I escorted them from the house and grabbed their skiing clothes, which were by the front door.

"They got dressed outside, as I called the emergency services."

Firefighters from Accrington arrived within minutes to find the house completely smoke-logged and the fire well alight.

Joshua called his mum and dad from a mobile phone, who dashed home from their night out in Blackburn.

Mum Louise said: "We were absolutely panic-striken and came straight home. I was in tears. I was so relieved to find the children safe.

"Romana is wonderful and we can't thank her enough. I would also like to thank our neighbours for putting us up overnight and DMC Taxis in Blackburn, which pulled out all the stops to get us home."

Romana has lived with the Tattersall family since last May and is in the country to improve her English. She added: "It all happened very fast and I think I acted on my instincts. I was wearing only pyjamas and slippers, but didn't even feel the cold.

"The firefighters arrived very quickly and took over. I'm just glad the children are safe and everything has ended well."

Accrington station officer John Pinder said: "Romana did all the right things. She promptly escorted the children from the house, then contacted us.

"This could have been a tragedy, but a smoke alarm was fitted in the house and Romana acted quickly and efficiently. She is a heroine and is to be congratulated."

Judson added: "We think she's really great."

A bedroom and the kitchen of the property were extensively damaged by the fire, which is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.