A mother has heaped praise on her quick-thinking son after saving her and the dog from a bedroom blaze that engulfed their home of 16 years.

Loren Ringshall had just returned home from work when the smoke alarms in her house in Capel Place, Wilmington, near Dartford started going off.

The 42-year-old was in her bedroom trying to sleep off a migraine at around 6pm last Tuesday (July 2) before reluctantly getting out of bed after smelling smoke.

She told KentOnline: “Both my eldest and I came out of our rooms and asked who’s burning something?

“Boys being boys they burn pizzas and things so he went to run down the stairs and shouted ‘Mum it isn’t coming from down here’.

“I then opened my youngest son’s bedroom door to see thick smoke and the mattress on fire.”

In a panic Loren tried to find some water but her son managed to stay calm and took control of the situation.

The legal executive added: “My eldest grabbed me just before I threw the water and was screaming get the f*** out of the house, get the f*** house and he physically dragged me out.

“In these emergency situations he comes into his own, keeps a level head and he really took charge.

“It was amazing because I was running around like a headless chicken.”

Loren also explained how her son closed the bedroom door behind them to buy them more time to evacuate.

He also bravely returned to the house to save the family dog, who was standing by the doorway but too petrified to move.

During this time a neighbour had seen the smoke billowing and had phoned 999 so it was not long until the fire brigade arrived.

But as the family were waiting, they heard explosions later thought to be aerosol cans going off.

Fire crews had been on site for several hours before bringing the incident under control and declaring it at an end shortly after 9pm.

Loren was told that all the contents of the home were damaged, mainly through smoke or water, yet luckily the crews managed to contain it to just her building.

She was told usually when a fire reaches the attic other buildings would be affected but they did well to quell the flames before they spread further through the home.

No injuries were reported and an exact cause is not yet officially known but it has been suggested to Loren it may have been an electrical fire caused by a faulty hairdryer.

She added: “There is a hole in my son’s floor where they think it started.

“I noticed my hairdryer in the morning was overheating more than usual and I intended to throw it out at some point but I left it and didn’t think to tell my children.

“My son must’ve gone to use it and when he turned it off he put it on the floor where he usually does and as he left, gradually over the hours it must’ve caught alight.”

The mum has thanked her neighbours, fire crews and Dartford council for coming to her help.

She is currently in emergency accommodation found by the council but she hopes to return to their home as soon as she can.

Loren added: “It’s where I’ve raised all my children. I’ve wanted to buy the place for years but just haven’t been able to afford the mortgage.

“Being a council home they will have to survey it for damage and asbestos before they can even start working on it.

“I just don’t want them to take my house or ask me to leave. The neighbours are great, my kids have all grown up there I don’t want to move.”

Friends, family and neighours have been helping where they can to provide clothing for the family.

A GoFundMe has also been set up on Loren’s behalf which has currently raised £1,615 and she has started an Amazon Wishlist as people have reached out wishing to help with more than just money.

She said: “I can’t thank the fire service enough. They were so quick and brave.

“All my neighbours were so kind too. I left without shoes and a coat and people were putting us up in their garden giving us clothes and providing cups of tea.

“At times like these, it really shows the kindness of people.”

She has also urged people not to “take risks” and to ensure their smoke alarms are working properly.

“I want to say to everyone, if you can, get an electrician to check you electrics,” Loren added.

“If you have anything sparking or being temperamental, please don’t risk it, just throw it out.

“And get decent fire alarms both up and downstairs.

“If you contact the fire service they will do an assessment of your home and get you fire alarms for free, they will do it all please don’t take risks.”