A MOTHER-of-five has told of the moment she saved four of her children's lives as a fierce fire threatened to engulf her home.

Maria Butcher told a court how she had passed the youngsters out of a window into the garden as the flames and smoke filled the house.

The fifth child, a seven-year-old boy, had to be rescued by firefighters after Mrs Butcher was beaten back by thick smoke.

The child was not breathing but was revived. He was admitted to intensive care along with Mrs Butcher's 51-year-old mother, who also had to be rescued from the blaze in Marston Road, Thornhill, Southampton.

Mrs Butcher re-lived the terrifying night in December last year as the trial of Sarah Jane Griffiths and Ivan Fuller opened at Southampton Crown Court.

Griffiths, 39, of Croxford Gardens, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, denies arson with intent to endanger life and arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

Fuller, 26, of the same address, denies arson with intent to endanger life but has pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

Proceeding