A SINGLE mother has spoken of her ordeal after she had to rescue her three small children from a fire at her house.

Nichola Stones, 30, ran back into her home to save her two babies after making sure her five-year-old son, Aston, was safe.

The nursery nurse went back into the property in Delaval, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, to retrieve 16-month-old Amelia and little Isaac, who is just 20 weeks old.

Clearly shaken by the incident on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Stones trembled as she relived the nightmare experience when she noticed a side door was alight.

She said: “It was coming from the utility room. As I opened the door I was met the most horrendous puff of really foul black smoke, intense heat and flames from the door.

“My eldest was upstairs, the youngest was in his jumper, and my daughter was in the sitting room playing with a doll.

“I got my eldest out and a neighbour asked how many children I had and I said: ‘I’ve got another two still in the house’.

“I went back in, got my daughter out and then said ‘I’ve still got a little baby in there trapped inside’ so I went back in straight away and got him.”

Ms Stones said she believes the fire could have killed her and her children.

“It could have been a lot worse,” she added.

“It could have led to the loss of life of my children and myself.

“The younger two are fine, but my son is little bit shaken and concerned. He has taken it a little bit to heart.

“I am shocked and feel I do not want to be here anymore. I am very unsettled.”

Ms Stones, who has lived in the house since November, said she believed the fire may have been started deliberately, adding: “I think it has been a prank that has gone too far.

“I do not think I have been targeted but I am very angry and annoyed.

“Do they know the impact it has had on a five-year-old? There were three small children in the house. I am very upset.”

Firefighters were called at 4.20pm and sent two fire engines to tackle the blaze.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service group manager Robin Turnbull said a joint investigation along with Durham Constabulary to determine the cause of the blaze is underway.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.