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Teen helps to save six from fire Teenager helps save six from fire
(about 6 hours later)
A boy has been hailed a hero after he helped to save six children aged from five to 15 from their burning house. A teenage boy has been praised for helping to save six children aged from five to 15 from their burning house.
Leighton Griffiths, 15, from Cwmbran, heard the youngsters screaming for help after the fire broke out in the Greenmeadow area early on Saturday.Leighton Griffiths, 15, from Cwmbran, heard the youngsters screaming for help after the fire broke out in the Greenmeadow area early on Saturday.
South Wales Fire Service praised the "swift actions of the public", firefighters and fire control staff.
The mother of five of the children rescued from the fire said her young neighbour had saved their lives.The mother of five of the children rescued from the fire said her young neighbour had saved their lives.
South Wales Fire Service praised the "swift actions of the public", firefighters and fire control staff.
Fire crews were called to The Twinings at 0220 BST on Saturday, with the fire at an end-of-terrace house.Fire crews were called to The Twinings at 0220 BST on Saturday, with the fire at an end-of-terrace house.
Leighton said he used a hose pipe to try and douse the flames while his stepfather Alan Probert and a neighbour put a ladder up to a window and got out three of the youngsters. Leighton said he used a hosepipe to try to douse the flames while his stepfather Alan Probert and a neighbour put a ladder up to a window and got out three of the youngsters.
They could have died and I could not have lived my life knowing I could have done something Leighton GriffithsThey could have died and I could not have lived my life knowing I could have done something Leighton Griffiths
Meanwhile, unbeknown to Mr Probert, Leighton said he had gone into the property and rescued the three other children trapped in the burning house.Meanwhile, unbeknown to Mr Probert, Leighton said he had gone into the property and rescued the three other children trapped in the burning house.
He collapsed and had to be taken to hospital afterwards with minor burns and a suspected broken rib.He collapsed and had to be taken to hospital afterwards with minor burns and a suspected broken rib.
Interviewed on Monday by BBC Wales, Leighton admitted perhaps he should have waited for the fire service to arrive. Leighton said: "No matter how scared you might be, you've got to be brave enough to go in and get them. They could have died and I could not have lived my life knowing I could have done something.
But he said: "You don't think of that when there's kids involved. No matter how scared you might be, you've got to be brave enough to go in and get them. "I class everyone who gave a hand at the time a hero because we all played a part in it."
"They could have died and I could not have lived my life knowing I could have done something."
He's absolutely fantastic. He saved my children's lives Tracy Evans
Leighton said he cannot remember much about the incident but said he was scared, but in a way he was not scared "knowing I was doing something right."
Leighton said the children were "petrified".
Asked about being hailed as a hero, Leighton said: "I class everyone who gave a hand at the time a hero because we all played a part in it."
Mr Probert said his stepson was "very brave" and he was "very proud" of what he had done.
"Lots of blokes in their twenties and thirties would not have done what he done. I gave him a good hug at the end of it - something we don't do very often - but he deserved that one," he said.
The fire is believed to have started in the electrical fuse box at the house.The fire is believed to have started in the electrical fuse box at the house.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of SaturdayThe blaze broke out in the early hours of Saturday
They are the third family to have survived a blaze in the property in recent years.They are the third family to have survived a blaze in the property in recent years.
Tracy Evans said she could never thank Leighton enough for what he did in saving her children and her son's friend, who is nine. Tracy Evans and her husband had been on their first evening out in 18 months when the fire started.
She and her husband had been on their first evening out in 18 months when the fire started, she said.
Mrs Evans said: "He's absolutely fantastic. He saved my children's lives. If it wasn't for him, my kids wouldn't be here now, and there's nothing I can ever do (for) that boy or repay him for what he's done."Mrs Evans said: "He's absolutely fantastic. He saved my children's lives. If it wasn't for him, my kids wouldn't be here now, and there's nothing I can ever do (for) that boy or repay him for what he's done."
The children have also made a "thank you" card for Leighton who celebrates his 16th birthday on Tuesday. The children have also made a thank you card for Leighton who celebrates his 16th birthday on Tuesday.
South Wales Fire Service said the blaze is being treated as accidental. Further investigations are being carried out with the police. South Wales Fire Service said the blaze was being treated as accidental. Further investigations are being carried out with the police.
Richie Prendergast, the officer in charge of the incident, said due to the swift actions of the public, the fire crews at the scene and fire control staff, a great tragedy had been avoided.Richie Prendergast, the officer in charge of the incident, said due to the swift actions of the public, the fire crews at the scene and fire control staff, a great tragedy had been avoided.