A BOY has been hailed a hero after rescuing his family from their burning house.

Seven-year-old Jonathon Robinson called the fire brigade when his little brother, Adam, set fire to a bedroom.

After making the 999 call, Jonathon woke up his parents, Mark and Lisa, and made sure they all got to safety.

Jonathon was off school ill when fire broke out at the family's home, in Darlington, at 10am on Tuesday.

He got out of bed to get a drink, and when he returned he discovered two-year-old Adam had set fire to the room.

The family managed to get out of the house safely, although the bedroom was gutted by the fire.

Mr Robinson said: "Jonathon was a real hero. He didn't panic and did all the right things.

"Me and his mum were still in bed because we'd been up all night when Jonathon was ill.

"His big brother, Matthew, had gone to school but the rest of us were in the house.

"It was Jonathon and Matthew's bedroom that caught fire, and so much of their stuff has been ruined.

"The main thing, though, is we are all safe and it's all down to Jonathon."

The family are now living in the downstairs of their fire-damaged house, in Edgemere Road, with help from relatives.

Mr Robinson said: "We have always taught the boys not to play with matches, but Adam got hold of a lighter. We are devastated that the boys have lost their clothes and some of their toys, but we are pleased we are all OK. If Jonathon hadn't acted so quickly, we could all have died."

A spokesman for Darlington fire brigade said firefighters had been able to respond quickly because of the early 999 call.

He said: "The family were very, very lucky. The fire brigade were able to respond quickly and the damage was contained.

"We work with schools in the Darlington area, to get across the message to children that they shouldn't play with fire."