A MOTHER and son died as fire swept through their terraced home early today.

Emergency services were delayed on their dash to the house in Hastings because of cars parked on double yellow lines, partly blocking the road.

Police blasted the careless drivers, although they stressed they do not believe the delay contributed to the deaths.

Two fire crews reached the scene unhindered but one appliance and an ambulance were stranded more than 100 metres away because of the vehicles.

Firefighters fought through flames and thick smoke before carrying the victims from the house.

Paramedics at the scene and staff at the Conquest Hospital battled in vain to save them.

The mother and her 11-year-old son were found in a bedroom on the first floor of the house in Stonefield Road.

Four relatives, believed to be the boy's grandparents and two young girls, managed to escape to safety and were treated for shock.

The brigade was alerted just after 3am with nine separate 999 calls from neighbours and passers-by.

Sub Officer Mark O'Brien, in charge of the operation, said crews encountered intense heat and smoke.

He said: "The fire started downstairs and moved upwards, breaking through the ceilings and sweeping up the stairwell.

"Crews took a lot of punishment and they were held back before they could get upstairs to the bedroom where the casualties were.

"The deaths are tragic. It is the worst time for a firefighter because that's our first job, saving lives.

"On this occasion, we were not able to do it and it is very upsetting. The crews feel sad and frustrated."

He said one tender was stuck at one end of the road with an ambulance, jammed in by cars parked on both sides of the road, one of them with double yellow lines.

Police said none of the owners came out to move their cars and officers stuck half a dozen tickets on windscreens.

Insp Chris Wratten, of Hastings police, said the congestion did not delay rescuers, but added: "This shows the dangers of careless parking."

One neighbour said the ambulance had to stop at one end of the road as it was unable to pass parked cars and there was another fire engine behind it.

Police and fire investigators were today trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

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