A YOUNG mother’s quick-thinking actions, along with a working smoke alarm, averted disaster for her and her son when a fire broke ou.

Jessie Stewart was with 16-month-old son Isaac in their lodgings at the Regents Theological College in Westminster House, West Malvern, when the blaze started at about 4.30pm on Wednesday, September 28.

The fire was caused when Isaac accidentally switched on the kitchen stove but Mrs Stewart was alerted by the smoke alarm. After getting Isaac to safety she returned to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

The pair were both treated for smoke inhalation.

Mrs Stewart said: “I ran out with Isaac thinking it was a drill. Then I smelled smoke and I realised it was coming from our flat. I was not thinking, it was all instinct.”

Her husband, Graeme, who is studying at the college and was called out of a tutorial by the news, said he felt an “automatic calmness” come across him when he saw they were safe.

The Stewarts, who only moved in on Saturday, praised the community spirit after college staff and students provided them with support, offers of help and alternative accommodation.

Mr Stewart said: “We are just grateful for all the support. The college has been brilliant and the students as well, and we have been offered endless amounts of help. People have all rallied around. It has been amazing. To cope with this on your own would be quite hard, especially after moving house. It’s been the best of a bad situation.”

It is hoped they will return to the flat next week once repairs have been carried out.