A hero schoolgirl helped save her mum and two young cousins after a horror fire broke out at the family home.
Amirah, 12, jumped into action when the lithium battery in her hoverboard suddenly exploded in the early hours of Monday. She immediately rushed to wake up her mum Louise Cromack, who was asleep in the living room of their ground-floor flat with her two nieces, five-week-old baby Emily and five-year-old Edith. All four, along with Amirah's brother Dan managed to escape the blaze.
Louise, 33, told Yorkshire Live : "She saved my life, her brother Dan and her two cousins. We're lucky to be alive. The fire brigade said she was so lucky not to even get a single burn. I am so proud of my hero, my Amirah."
Louise had been looking after her sister Jessica's two children, who was on her first night out since having baby Emily, when the terrifying incident took place.
She said: "My son Dan was in his bedroom and Amirah was talking to her friends on her phone. It had just gone midnight when all of a sudden I heard a loud bang and Amirah screamed 'there's a fire, mum!'
"She closed the door to stop the fire from spreading and ran into the living room. I grabbed the baby and the rest of the children and we all went outside and waited for the fire brigade to arrive.
"One of the fire officers said we were fortunate we didn't get smoke inside us - it would have been terrible if that had happened to the baby and Edith. I immediately rang my sister and she came up in a taxi."
Louise is now planning a surprise treat for Amirah once the damage to their home is repaired. She says her daughter is very shy and usually doesn't like to be centre of attention, but her bravery deserves a special reward.
She continued: "When I get sorted I'm going to give Amirah a proper treat - to thank her for what she did. She is naturally shy and doesn't like too much fuss."
Others in the community have also been touched by Amirah's heroism, with neighbours and businesses helping to support the family. Pizza 55 takeaway provided them with a free meal and a kindhearted neighbour has provided them with a new bed.
Louise added: "I would like to thank everyone who has been so kind and generous to us. A neighbour has given us a new bed and a takeaway in Birstall, Pizza 55 gave us some free pizza - Amirah's favourite."
Amirah, who attends Bruntcliffe Academy, added: "I was in bed chatting to my friends. I went to get a drink and then heard a massive bang and my hoverboard had exploded, it was next to my bed. I quickly ran out of the room and started screaming for help. I'm just glad everyone is OK."
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