Firefighters have praised a schoolboy for his quick thinking after he helped to contain a kitchen blaze.

The boy’s mother, who is thought to be in her 30s, had been cooking in their home in Clive Place, Great Horton, Bradford, when the oven burst into flames.

Her son, who had just come in from school, told her to get a damp towel to try to quell the flames.

Their attempt failed, so they closed the oven door, evacuated the house and called the emergency services.

Two fire engines from Fairweather Green fire station attended the fire at 3pm yesterday and managed to put out the fire.

Fairweather Green watch manager Ronnie Goldwater, said: “Oil had spilt out of a pan in the oven and burst into flames.

“Her son had told her what to do because she was a bit panicky.

“The fire caused major damage but they did the right thing by putting a wet towel on it and closing the door before calling us.”