I WALKED THROUGH FIRE TO SAVE MY BOYS

There was no way Stephanie Bell, 40, was leaving her sons in their blazing home

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Bustling around the kitchen, I leaned down to give my best friend a fuss. 'You're never far away, are you, Rocky?' I whispered, ruffling my two-year-old merle goldendoodle's shaggy ears.

It was May 2024 and Rocky had been with me and my sons Lukas, then nine, and Liam, seven, for three months and we all adored him. Although Rocky was blind, he'd learned to find his way around our home.

Working long hours delivering groceries, I loved coming back to our home in Bethel, North Carolina. And every evening, I enjoyed watching TV and playing board games with Lukas and Liam, Rocky the dog snuggled between us.

One evening in August 2024, I popped a load of washing into the tumble dryer and switched it on, then got into bed with the boys to watch a film. I was soon fast asleep.

Next thing I knew, I awoke with a jolt as I fell out of bed. I realised Rocky had jumped onto the bed as I slept and pushed me onto the floor. 'What's wrong?' I murmured, and that's when I heard the smoke alarm blaring and smelt smoke.

'The house is on fire,' I cried, horrified, running across the hallway of our three-bedroom mobile home to the utility room, where flames were tearing up the walls and across the ceiling.

Moments later, I heard a scream of 'Mummy' from my bedroom. It was Liam. I raced back to get him but roaring flames were now blocking my path.