Harry Haywood woke at 2.30am yesterday to find his house full of smoke. His mother and her boyfriend had fallen asleep on the couch. His two older sisters were asleep in their bedroom.

Police say that in fires, most children hide in cupboards or beds. But Harry had the common sense to move to wake mother Nicole and sisters Brittany, 9, and Brie, 7, and save their lives.

“We woke to Harry screaming, he screamed like he had never screamed before. Then he was in his sisters’ room screaming.”

A FIVE-year-old boy could be one of the youngest Australians to receive a bravery award after alerting his sleeping family to a fire engulfing their home in themiddle of the night.

Harry Haywood woke at 2.30am yesterday to find his house full of smoke. His mother and her boyfriend had fallen asleep on the couch. His two older sisters were asleep in their bedroom.

Police say that in fires, most children hide in cupboards or beds. But Harry had the common sense to move to wake mother Nicole and sisters Brittany, 9, and Brie, 7, and save their lives.

The family struggled through thick smoke out of the house in semi- rural Tahmoor, outside Picton in the NSW Southern Highlands. The roof collapsed seconds later.

Police were yesterday recommending Harry receive a bravery medal.

Harry said it was the smoke that had woken him. “I just got out of bed and I shut my eyes and ran into my sisters’ room,” he said.

When asked if he was scared, Harry said: “Yep.”

A smoke alarm fitted to the house is believed to have failed.

Sergeant Barry Parish said the family still did not understand how close they had come to disaster or how much they owed to young Harry’s presence of mind.

“I am glad I can go home tonight and not have a nightmare about what I have seen,” Sergeant Parish said. “I don’t think the family quite realise the enormity of what Harry has done.

“I will be recommending him for a bravery award. Most adults wouldn’t think that clearly. Harry’s actions saved the lives of his family.”

Nicole said son Harry had always been an intelligent and level- headed boy. “He’s a thinker,” she said.

“We woke to Harry screaming, he screamed like he had never screamed before. Then he was in his sisters’ room screaming.”

Bursting into tears, she recalled searching through the smoke- filled house before she realised the kids had managed to get out the front door.

“I didn’t know whether they were in or out,” she said. “I just couldn’t see them. Then I heard their individual voices calling for Mummy. The house just went up in seconds.”

The cause of the blaze is not known.

Also published on news.com.au under the head All Hail Harry the hero.