Tributes have been paid to Susan Baillie, the grandmother who died in a house fire at her home in Thornaby, near Stockton, on Tuesday.

Her 22-year-old daughter, Joanne Baillie, survived the blaze and was at the bedside of her five-year-old son, Jason, last night.

Jason sustained 90 per cent burns across his body and specialist doctors and nurses are caring for him at the burns unit of Newcastle General Hospital.

His condition was described as "very critical" by doctors.

Joanne Baillie escaped the flames through an upstairs window.

She was treated for burns and smoke inhalation at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough but was later released to join Jason.

A man, Paul Thompson, also jumped out of the window to escape the fire but was detained at James Cook hospital yesterday with leg injuries and smoke inhalation. His injuries are not life-threatening.

A police spokesman yesterday said the entire Baillie family were devastated and wished to be left alone.

Floral tributes, teddy bears and messages have been left outside the family home on Havelock Street in Thornaby.

One message said: "Thinking of you Jason, get well soon." Another was addressed for Susan Baillie. It said: "Good night and God bless."

One neighbour remembered Mrs Baillie as a woman who loved her family.

She said: "She was a lovely woman. She would look out for all the children on the entire street. Everyone knew her and the whole community here is just shocked."

Jason, a pupil at Harwood Infant School on Thorntree Road, was saved by firemen who braved intense heat, smoke and flames to rescue him.

Ann Tebbutt, headteacher at Harwood School said: "Staff and children are all deeply upset. Our thoughts are with Jason and his family at this sad time."

A joint police and fire brigade investigation is on-going and a forensics report has been completed.