A FAMILY fled their burning home after seeing the flames reflecting in a car window.

The owners and their 15-year-old son were sitting watching a film when they heard a loud cracking noise.

At first they thought something had been thrown against a window and the teenager got up to look out of the window.

His mum, who did not want the family to be identified said: "My son said he could see flames coming from the car. I looked out of the lounge window and realised our home was on fire and the flames were being reflected by the car.

"We ran outside. Our neighbours had seen the fire in the bedroom and were running over to us."

The father tried to put out the fire but was forced to retreat and wait for the fire service.

Two fire crews from Bury were called to the house in Rose Grove at 6.30pm on Sunday. A portable television set, the curtains and the PVC windows were destroyed in the blaze which was caused by an electrical fault on a TV.

Approximately £2,000 worth of damage was caused by the fire.

The mum continued: "The fire has taught us all a lesson. Had it happened a few hours later then we would have all been in bed and asleep. We could have died.

"The television had been left on stand-by when it suffered a short circuit. If it had been unplugged this wouldn't have happened.

"We always leave things plugged in but now we will have to ensure that when something isn't in use it is disconnected."

The family were yesterday (Monday Oct 29) clearing up after the fire.