BY JULIA RAVENSCROFT

A FAMILY at the centre of a 'home alone' row after four children were rescued from a burning house, have defended their daughter's actions.

Speaking exclusively to the GUARDIAN the children's grandad, Terence Woods, said his daughter Amanda had made sure the children were supervised while she jetted off on holiday to sun-kissed Tenerife.

Gemma, aged nine, Michelle, aged six, Darren, aged four and three-year-old Leon, who were being looked after by their aunt, 16-year-old Kim Woods, were rescued from their Haryngton Avenue home in Bewsey at 3am on Tuesday after a suspected arson attack left them trapped in a bedroom.

A neighbour spotted the fire, which started in a settee left at the side of the house, and called Warrington firefighters who rescued Kim and the four children who were found huddled in a bedroom crying.

Their 28-year-old mum had been on holiday with her sister Pamela in Tenerife since Friday and was trying to get a flight home yesterday following the news.

Next-door-neighbour Vivien Wills, aged 49, said that since the family had moved into the house they had been nothing but trouble.

She said: "The kids are always running wild. They are up at 2 o'clock in the morning running round the back bedroom."

She said she and her late husband Kenneth repeatedly rang the council alerting them to the problem and for a short time the children were placed with their grandparents Terry and Pamela, who live just two doors away, because of the state of the house.

She said on one occasion her husband had an angina attack while on the phone to the social services about the problem.

She said: "It's a shame for the children. My husband used to feel sorry for the children because they are nice but she's not there half of the time."

But 48-year-old Mr Woods, who works at Dial-a-Ride, said the children were being well cared for while Mandy was abroad and that he and his wife were checking on them regularly.

He said: "My wife and I were actively supporting our daughter. In fact, we were round at the house shortly before the children settled down for bed.

"The neighbours didn't want them to move in in the first place and have been vindictive against Mandy. They've probably forgotten what their own kids used to get up to. It's a load of rubbish they are well cared for."

Mr Woods said the children lived with him only while their mother was decorating the house and not because of a social services order.

But David Whitehead, director of social services, said: "We are looking very closely into all the circumstances of this incident and we are in touch with Cheshire Police, who are investigating how the fire started.

"We will wish to interview the mother of the children as a matter of urgency when she returns to the UK, so that we can be satisfied as to the arrangements that were made for the care of the children during her absence.

"There are no hard and fast rules about how children should be properly cared for in circumstances such as these. The law does not lay down any requirements as to the age of the person who takes responsibility for children in the absence of their parents.

"However, if a parent is to be absent for a lengthy period, there is an additional responsibility on the parent to ensure that arrangements are safe and reliable, especially for the care of children overnight."

A 17-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following the fire has been released on bail pending further enquiries.