She said she was sitting in a neighbour’s garden when thick black smoke began pouring from her home’s first floor window at about 4pm yesterday.

Flames soon started ripping through the walls and roof, and frantic friends and family scoured gardens in search of Dylan.

It was when they heard a single cry of “mum” that Dylan’s uncle ran through the flames and intense heat to collect the youngster.

Mr Blent was treated for burns to his neck and arms at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital last night and Dylan was being monitored for smoke inhalation.

Thank

Mr Blent, along with neighbours Neil Walker, Pete Williams and Daniel Reece, tackled the flames in a bid to rescue Dylan. Mr Reece was also taken to hospital with burns.

Miss Seabury said all four were heroes. She said: “I was just watching, so scared. The flames went from nothing to everything in a few seconds.

“My little boy wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my brother and all these guys. I just can’t thank them enough. They saved his life.”

She said she was extre-mely thankful her son was safe, especially after losing her father two weeks ago. Her father’s possessions were being kept in the bedroom where the fire started.

Mr Walker, who was first to try and get to the boy, said they grabbed a hosepipe to soak Mr Blent before he ran inside.

He said: “The heat was horrid. It was worst thing we’ve ever had to deal with, but you just kick into action, you can’t explain it.”

Fire investigations officer John Round said: “If it had not been for the swift actions of these men the little boy would have died.”

Twenty firefighters from Shrewsbury and Baschurch tackled the blaze.

Ambulance spokeswoman Daphne Lewis said a 17-year-old and 19-year-old male had been taken to hospital with minor burns and that a two-year-old was being monitored for smoke inhalation.

By James Holt

Popular stories:

• Powys police to get weapon scanners
• First game for Steve Brown
• September 11th tribute
• Dining Out archive
• Daily news blog