The father of heroic fireman Alex Kent has backed a campaign to fit sprinklers in all homes.

Off-duty firefighter Alex died attempting to save his younger brother Philip from a huge blaze that broke out in the family's Crowborough home last month.

His father Richard, 53, believes both sons would be alive today had the home been fitted with safety equipment such as sprinklers and has joined forces with East Sussex Fire Brigade in the hope that a similar tragedy never happens again.

Alex was able to guide his father and mother Janet from the burning building before returning for his brother.

Mr Kent said: "I'm totally convinced sprinklers would have contained the fire safely in one room and we would have all got out.

"I don't think we give enough thought to sprinklers. Smoke alarms are good but they don't always get there early enough."

He called for housing developers to be required to fit the systems by law.

"It would be a fitting epitaph for Alexander and Philip if this tragedy spurred on legislation. The longer we leave it the more people will die."

The sons died in minutes as flames swept through the house in the early hours on January 8.

The deaths of 25-year-old Alex and his 23-year-old brother led to a massive out pouring of grief in the firefighting community.

More than 1,000 mourners attended an hour-long service last month.