A WIRRAL schoolboy's swift actions helped save his father's life after an explosion at their home.

Ten-year-old Gabriel Whitehead told the Globe that he "did exactly what anyone else would have done" after the incident on Sunday, March 4.

That day, dad Barry Whitehead was refilling a bio-ethanol fire in the lounge when it exploded.

He fell back and was covered in the fuel and caught fire, sustaining 16% burns to his left leg, torso, neck, right arm, hands and head.

He tried to put out the flames by burrowing his head into the sofa. Unfortunately, the sofa caught light.

He ran into the kitchen, fell onto the floor on fire and shouted for help.

Gabriel, who attends St Peter's Church of England Primary in Heswall, heard his cries, ran in, saw the terrifying scene and leapt to action.

He filled pans and buckets with water which he poured over dad to douse the flames.

Recalling the events and praising his son's incredible bravery, Barry - a former Royal Marine who now is a railway engineer and designer - told the Globe: "Without sounding too dramatic, when I looked up through the flames and saw my son's face, I thought I am not going out like this.

"Over these few seconds I looked back into the room and saw the sofa on fire and could see that the room will be on fire very shortly.

"I went back into the lounge to remove the burning sofa from the lounge on the decking.

"Gabriel grabbed pans and buckets to die the fire on the sofa and covering his dad in water.

"Gabe put out the final flames of the fire from the sofa and the areas where the fire started again, near the garden fence etc.

"Without prompting, Gabe then rang 999 and call for emergency services and gave the correct details to get the ambulance and fire teams, whilst talking to the emergency services, Gabe ran outside to call for help from a neighbour.

"The first neighbour was not in, so whilst on the phone Gabe went and found a second person to help.

"When the neighbour can in to help, Gabe went into the Kitchen to get cling film and wet towels to try and help, then the paramedic and emergency services turned up."

Barry was taken by helicopter to the Merseyside Regional Burn Unit at Whiston Hospital.

Gabriel was taken to Arrowe Park hospital by ambulance, where he was treated for fume inhalation.

Barry spent nearly two weeks in Whiston before returning home to continue his recovery.

Praising his son, he added: "The paramedics and hospital said my injuries would have been more significant if not for Gabriel's swift intervention.

"Gabriel had practised calling the ambulance in an emergency at cubs which helped him know what to do.

"Gabriel would like to be a Palaeontologist or a game designer when he is older and if not a pineapple farmer!

"My family are keen to highlight the danger of the fire and ensure people are aware of the risk.

"Also the need for fire blankets and small fire extinguishers in the home, both of which are available cheaply online."

Asked whether he thought of himself as a hero, Gabriel repled: "Yes, but I just did exactly what anyone else would have done.

"I was terrified, of course, but just got on with it. Dad was taken to hospital and was in very good hands.”

St Peter's Church of England Primary Headteacher Darren Jones said: "The situation faced by Gabriel and his dad was truly horrendous, but Gabriel coped in a very calm manner.

"On behalf of the school, I would like to say how proud we all are of Gabriel."