THE mother of an Essex soldier who died in a house fire has paid tribute to her son.

Private Kenny Pratt, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was sleeping downstairs at a home in Chestnut Avenue, Clacton, when a fire broke out in the kitchen on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who had been cooking food following a night out with friends, fell asleep in the lounge. He died from smoke inhalation.

Mum Amanda Pratt, 45, said: “We were blessed to have had an amazing son like Kenny for 22 years; he was our little hero.

“Kenny was a great brother to his two sisters Cara and Amanda and a very proud uncle to Nathan.

“Kenny was really loved by so many people and will be really missed by all those who were fortunate to have known him.

“He was a true friend to those who were close to him and would always stand up for what he believed in.

“Becoming a soldier turned Kenny from a boy into a real man. Kenny was proud to be in the army and honoured to be a Viking warrior.

“He has now left this world to be in Valhalla (Viking heaven) where he truly belongs amongst the other fallen soldiers.

“He may be gone but he will never be forgotten, he is forever in our hearts.”

The former Colbayns High School pupil was on leave following a training exercise with his regiment in Wales. He was due to serve in Afghanistan in 2012.