Schoolgirl Courtney to the rescue

Sarah Ratcliffe and her family survey the damage, but if it wasn’t for 12-year-old Courtney (middle) the blaze could have been much more serious

A BRAVE Oasis Academy pupil got her family out of the house when a faulty television burst into flames.

Courtney Ratcliffe (12), whose mum was out, kept a cool head as the fire took hold.

Mother-of-five Sarah arrived home to discover firefighters tackling the fire, with Courtney and her four brothers and sisters, a cousin and grandparents all safe.

The former Oldham resident said losing all her belongings was eased by Courtney’s bravery.

Sarah said: “I’m heartbroken, particularly about the things that can’t be replaced. But I’m just so proud of what Courtney did, she was brilliant.”

Courtney led Lexus (9) Shannon (6) and Summer Poppy (1) to safety after her brother Lureice (11) gave the alarm about the TV.

Courtney said: “The fire alarm was going off, my brother went to see why and he came running down the stairs and said there was a fire. I took my little sisters out the back and took them to a neighbour’s house. It was just instinctive.” The fire destroyed the first floor of the house.

Councillor David Acton, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “What Courtney did is absolutely amazing. It is terrible the family has lost so much in this fire, but thanks to their sister’s calm response, they all got out safely and still have each other.”