THE PARENTS of a Wombwell teenager who died in a house fire are tortured by a belief the fire brigade could have been called sooner.

Graham and Karen Stringer accept that their own 15-year-old son Matthew Stringer started the fire on Kitchin Road that killed their other son, Adam, who was 15. Five other family members were injured when they jumped from upstairs windows to escape on November 3 .

But the Stringers cannot help thinking minutes were wasted while eye witnesses saw the fire but did not make emergency calls straight away. The fire brigade confirmed this week that the first call to the emergency services was made at 6.56am.

Neighbours Mick and Lesley Matthews, who gave evidence in court, admit they did not call 999 but say when they first thought about the fire brigade, they heard they were already on the way. They feel there was nothing they could have done because the house went up so quickly.

Graham Stringer said: “In Mick Matthews’ evidence in court he said he was woken by his son who had seen the fire at about 6.40am. But we know the fire brigade weren’t called until 6.56.

“I feel disgusted because Karen has tormented herself for weeks that on the morning of the fire she heard the door close and thought she would have 10 more minutes sleep.

“Why didn’t they make a call straight away? The fire service might have been there before my family had to jump out of the windows.”

Mr Matthews said: “At 6.40 or 6.45 my son came to me and said ‘Dad, Stringers’ house is on fire’ but at first when you just wake up, you think ‘what?’. I was distracted by my other son who was upset and shouting.

“When we looked out there were flames coming out of the bottom of the door about 8 or 10 inches high. I could see smoke coming out of the lintel of the living room window.

“Matthew was leaning on the corner of the house watching the fire.”

Mick’s wife Lesley Matthews said: “I admit I didn’t phone the fire brigade because when I first saw it I was in total shock. Even if we had phoned the fire brigade as soon as we saw the fire there was no way Adam could have been saved. There was nothing we could do.

“When I first thought about calling the fire brigade, I heard they were on their way. We did not stand there watching even for five minutes. It happened very quick.

“I don’t believe it was 6.56. There is no way we stood watching that fire for 16 minutes. If it was 6.56 then it means all our times are wrong.”

Mr Matthews said his family’s hearts went out to the Stringer family. “We are so sorry for what they’ve lost. We can’t imagine how they must be feeling.”

Mrs Matthews said: “After the fire we knew we hadn’t seen Adam. I was so worried at 8.30 I called Wombwell High School to see if he was in his form room.

“If I could turn the clock back to 6.30 that morning I surely would.”