Two eight-year-old brothers sprang into action to help put out a fire believed to have been started deliberately in a wooded area close to homes.

The Comet: The fire the boys put out.The fire the boys put out. (Image: Archant)

Twins Jack and Samuel Huttlestone were walking their dog, Arnie, with their mum, Hayley, in a wooded area at the back of Southwark Close in Stevenage at about 6pm on Sunday when Jack saw smoke.

Hayley said: “It was about 200 metres into the woods and we went and looked and could see red embers just about to spark into flames.

“We ran home to arm ourselves with containers, jugs and water guns full of water and returned to put out what could have been a big fire.

“I’m so proud of how the boys reacted and stayed calm. The smoke began to get thicker and we arrived just in time. If it had been left much longer it would have gone up in flames. There are houses close by, so it could have been nasty.”

The Comet: The smoke filled the forest.The smoke filled the forest. (Image: Archant)

Jack, who attends Lodge Farm Primary School in Stevenage with Samuel, said he now wants to become a firefighter when he grows up. It transpires that less than two hours earlier, firefighters had been to the same area to put out another small fire believed to have been deliberately started. During the school holidays, the fire service generally sees an increase in the number of fires set deliberately.

Richard Thake, cabinet member for community safety at Herts County Council, said: “Young people need to realise that playing with fire is not a game but can have serious consequences.”

Herts police are aware of the incident and ask anyone with information to call them on 101.