FIREFIGHTERS are warning about the need for smoke detectors after five people escaped two blazes early on Monday morning (June 17).

Three people fled a house in Heywood Road, Prestwich, as the kitchen was destroyed by a fridge fire at 2am.

The occupants fled after waking to a smoke-filled house. Although a smoke detector had been fitted, it did not have a battery.

And two people escaped a chip pan blaze at 1am in Mather Street, Radcliffe, when they were alerted by a smoke detector. One of the occupants was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Leading firefighter Andrew Turner, based at Whitefield Fire Station, said in both cases, the fires could have been tragic.

"Fortunately, the Mather Street residents had a smoke alarm which quickly alerted them to the burning chip pan. It was a perfect chip pan fire and one that would not have been out of place in one of our demonstrations.

"Had the occupants of the flat tried anything other than putting a damp cloth over it, then it would have exploded. The kitchen was filled with thick, oily, acrid smoke and the residents were alerted in time to get out safely."

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat to put out the fire.

Mr Turner said: "As for the Heywood Road incident, a smoke alarm had been fitted but it was not working. The fridge had been burning for a while after a short circuit and the fire was only discovered by chance when a resident, who had fallen asleep downstairs, was woken by smoke."

Four firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze. The Red Cross's Fire Victim Support unit was brought in to help the owners deal with the aftermath of the blaze.

Mr Turner added: "These fires are perfect examples of the need for fully-working smoke alarms. Mather Street had one and the fire was picked up and dealt with quickly.

"As for the Heywood Road incident, a working smoke alarm would have help prevent the damage the fire caused.

"Smoke alarms do save lives and they do save property."