A FAMILY had to make a daring escape after a fire engulfed their house last night.

A mother and her 18-year-old daughter and 23-year-old son suffered with heavy smoke inhalation as they fled the blaze in Belbeck Street, Bury at about 8.30pm last night.

The fire had started after the son lit an oil-based candle in his bedroom.

He left and returned to find a large fire had taken hold of the room.

His younger sister was in an attic room above the quickly developing blaze and mother and son had to battle thick smoke to reach her and bring her downstairs and out of the house.

All three needed medical treatment, with the son being taken to hospital for further monitoring.

Firefighters arrived on the scene to find "big red flames bellowing out of the upstairs window."

Watch manager Steve Wilcock said: "It was a very well developed fire when we arrived and it took six of us in breathing apparatus to get in and put it out.

"It was very dramatic, there were flames coming out of the window and people were running around screaming.

"This family - especially the young girl in the room above the fire - have had a very lucky escape."

He said the family did not have a working smoke alarm and had intended to get one fitted recently.

He added: "If they did have a smoke alarm, it would not have stopped the fire but it could have given them a much earlier warning.

He also warned people about the use of candles in the home, adding: "This is not new news, we have seen the danger of leaving candles unattended, please make sure that any candles you do use are in a proper holder and that you don't leave the room they are in."

A pet dog and a hamster were also rescued from the blaze, with firefighters actually giving oxygen to the hamster to help it recover from inhaling smoke.

The house was badly damaged, with the son's bedroom destroyed and the family have had support in finding alternative accommodation.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I could see a bit of smoke coming into our house, so we got the kids downstairs.
"They are nice neighbours and I wish them well - I wouldn't wish this on anyone."