FIRE chiefs have repeated calls for householders to fit smoke alarms in their homes after a house in Burnley was badly damaged by fire on Saturday morning.

Firefighters were called to a property in Tiber Avenue at 6am after a frying pan set on fire.

Residents living at the address were evacuated by the time firefighters arrived.

A mother and a young man were given oxygen by the fire crew after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Leading firefighter Tom Ashworth said: "This family were extremely lucky to get out of the house alive as there was no smoke alarm fitted.

"It's a miracle there wasn't a fatality. The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen and smoke-logged the rest of the home.

"The occupants had come home from a night out and put the pan on to cook some supper, but they then fell asleep with the pan left with fat inside to cook.

"If an alarm had been fitted they would have been alerted much sooner.

"We fitted a smoke detector after the fire and carried out a hot-strike in the neighbourhood to ensure other homes were equipped with them.

"We need to drive home how important it is to have a smoke detector. There is no excuse not to have one - they are free and can be fitted by the fire service."

For a free smoke alarm and fire home safety check call freephone 0800 169 1125.