The lads, thought to be aged between 12 and 15-years-old, alerted Barn Rise resident Debby Walch that there was a blaze nearby.

The fire, which had started in ivy growing up the side of the house, was put out with the help of heroic neighbours.

Debby said, "I was at home decorating when these lads started shouting that there was a fire. I ran outside and saw the fire a few doors down.

I ran along to the house and shouted at my husband, Mick, to call the fire brigade.

"The lady didn't know her house was on fire. I grabbed her two children and said to her 'get out quick' and ran up to my house with the two children.

"I shouted at the group of lads to run across to my neighbour John Silburn. My husband ran down with a hose and John came running across the road and got into the house and was throwing buckets of water out of the window."

Three fire crews from East Sussex Fire and Rescue attended the scene, along with police and ambulance crews.

Debby added, "If it wasn't for our husbands the fire would have taken hold. They had it under control by the time the firemen got there. And if it wasn't for the young lads I don't know what would have happened.

"In minutes there could have been an inferno."

Her neighbour John had not long returned home with his wife Julie after attending a wedding when he got a knock at the door.

He said "I went over to the house. A neighbour had a hose and our one which was joined to Mick's.

"I helped the mother throw buckets of water out of the window. Another neighbour was throwing water over the blaze as well.

"All the neighbours were good and so were the kids that raised the alarm. They were spot on."

Josh Petherick was one of the youngsters who helped to raise the alarm. His mum Ginny said, "I was at home and asleep when I heard this fire engine. I looked out of the window to see what was going on.

"My son said they had raised the alarm and initially it had been difficult to get anyone to listen to them as I think some people thought they were messing around.

"I am extremely proud of him for helping."

The blaze took place on Sunday September 14 at around 5.30pm. A fire investigation officer said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.