A father fought his way through choking black smoke to save his five-month-old sleeping son.

Little Eoin Robertson was grabbed from an upstairs room in a house in Barrington Close, Worthing after his father Andrew heard the smoke alarm.

Mr Robertson said he was standing in friend Julie Thorns’ garden with wife Sam and children Malakai, two, and Aeryn, one, when the detector went off.

He explained that as soon as he saw the acrid smoke pouring out of his home all he could think about was his sleeping son.

The 23-year-old said: “I heard a squeal from Julie, who had opened the kitchen door, turned round to see the smoke and thought of my Eoin “I didn't think what was on fire I just thought of son and ran in.”

The shop assistant, who was barefoot, managed to fight past the smoke, grab Eoin wrapped him in a blanket and made his way out of the building.

He added: “I felt as sick as a dog afterwards but I was more concerned about my son.”

The pair were were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and were later taken to Worthing Hospital for treatment.

It is thought the blaze was sparked when the couple’s daughter Aeryn turned on the electric hob in the kitchen, which had a chopping board and plastic utensils on top.

The couple, fed up of telling the youngster not to go in there, closed the kitchen door.

Doctors warned that another five minutes in the smoke-logged building could have killed baby Eoin.

Two fire engines from Worthing attended the house on Monday afternoon after the rescue to make the house safe.

Crew Commander Adie Carter said: “A smoke alarm is a real life saver and prevented this situation from becoming much worse. The Robertson family probably think that this was the best £5 their friends ever spent, and they will be eternally grateful.”

"If you want advice on smoke alarms or a free home fire safety check, please contact the Community Fire and Road Safety team on 0800 3286487.”