A LANCASTER family fled from their fire ravaged house in the same week that fire fighters issued fresh blaze danger warnings.
A 42-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and two teenage boys ran to safety when a candle in a bedroom set furniture alight at dawn on Monday.
The fire service says the quartet were lucky to get out - because the battery in a smoke alarm in the Westham Street terraced home had been removed.
Lancaster station commander Bob Brad-shaw says, unfortunately, it is a fairly common incident and wants people to take up an offer of free fire safety checks.
"If people contact the fire service we will be more than happy to offer advice," says Mr Bradshaw. "It is a 365-day initiative and we will also provide a free smoke alarm.
"There is no doubt they save lives and people need to realise how important it is to ensure their alarm is well maintained.
"They should not take the batteries out."
After the Westham Street blaze, the man was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with burns to his arms while the woman and two 14-year-olds - one of them a family friend - were taken to hospital for checks. All were released after treatment.
There was fire damage to one bedroom and the house suffered smoke damage.
The Citizen under-stands the man became disorientated in the smoke and had to struggle past a wardrobe in order to flee after trying to fight the fire with a duvet.
"People have to realise that, in addition to a smoke alarm, they need to formulate an escape route from their house," says Mr Bradshaw.
"Even if you have lived somewhere for many years when there is smoke about it is very easy to become disorientated.
Lancaster fire station can be contacted for help and advice on 01524-60913.
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