A YOUNG lad swapped quick fingers on his Nintendo DS to quick thinking to help save his mum's life after a blaze at their home.

Jake Goode was presented with a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation in recognition of his brave actions.

The drama started for the 12-year-old, of Guisborough, on December 14 last year when he woke up to an orange glow coming from the airing cupboard in his bedroom.

An electrical fault on the immersion heater had sparked the blaze causing a leak from the water tank which had tripped the electrics.

The smoke alarm went off, but Jake realised his mum, Louise, had not woken up.

Unable to turn on the lights and with smoking filling the room Jake grabbed his Nintendo DS Lite and used the glow from the screen to guide himself and he was able to wake his mum and take them both to safety.

After receiving the award from Ian Hayton, Chief Fire Officer, Cleveland Fire Brigade, his parents, Mick and Louise, said: "We are both proud of Jake and what he did. He is our hero."

Mr Hayton said: "Jake's quick thinking to use his Nintendo DS as a light source to help guide himself and his mum out of the house probably saved their lives. The fact that the house had a working smoke alarm fitted was also a factor in the positive outcome of this incident."

To arrange a free home fire safety visit from Cleveland Fire Brigade call 01429-874063.