A BOY aged nine has died and his two brothers are fighting for life in hospital after their mother dragged them out of their blazing home.

The children were all pulled unconscious from the end-of-terraced home on Bury New Road, The Haulgh, by Nargas Ahmed when their front living room became engulfed in flames.

Two police officers also helped rescue the children. Firefighters who arrived at the scene described the fire as a "blowtorch".

Mobeen, who died, was rescued first, followed by his brother Rahman, aged four, and two-year-old Ibrar.

Their mother had to battle through the thick black smoke three times to try to save her sons.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

Neighbour, Taseer Mirza, aged 38, also helped in the rescue. He said he was watching television at around 1.10pm on Saturday when his daughter Anum, aged 11, said she could smell smoke.

He said he first thought the fire was in his house, but then heard screams from next door.

Mrs Ahmed came running out of her back kitchen door and into his house to get to her front door.

She tried to unlock it but there was a chain on the door. She then threw a shoe through the front window, while Mr Mirza managed to break open the door.

Mr Mirza said: "It was very shocking. Mrs Ahmed was very upset.

"There was too much smoke, you could hardly see in front of you, but she ran in and found the three boys lying on the living room floor."

Paramedics took the children to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where Mobeen was pronounced dead.

His two brothers have been transferred to the North Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, where they are said to be critical but stable.

A family member, Anser Khan, said Mobeen's death was a terrible shock that has left the family distraught. He said: "He was a lovely little boy and was very loving. Everyone is in mourning.

"The only reassuring thought we have at the moment is that the other two little boys seem to be pulling through and we hope that God is helping us with this. We are all deeply upset. It is devastating for the children's mother."

It is believed the children's father, Mukhtar, was at work in Manchester when the fire broke out.

Station commander Ken Regent, of Bolton Central fire station, said it was one of the worst fires he had seen.

"It was like a blowtorch when we arrived," he said. "Flames were shooting through the window."

Paying tribute to the rescuers, station commander Regent said: "They did a brilliant job."

A passer-by had alerted traffic police at the nearby Castle Street station. Two officers ran to the scene to help with the rescue.

Bury New Road and Back Bury New Road was closed to traffic for more than an hour.

Det Insp Mo Shafiq praised the mother's heroics and the bravery of the two police officers. He also appealed for the man who raised the alarm at the police station to come forward.

He added: "We believe his prompt actions deserve recognition. This tragedy could have ended with the loss of even more life if he hadn't acted."

Anyone with information should call Bolton police on 0161 872 5050.