A MUM and her seven children escaped when fire badly damaged the bedroom of their home in Nelson.

Firefighters were called to the house in Smith Street at 7.30pm yesterday to find the bedroom well alight.

The family managed to get out safely.

The fire destroyed the contents of the bedroom and caused severe heat and smoke damage to the first floor landing.

Mum Frances Stewart said: "We were all downstairs and as soon as I smelled the smoke I just got the kids outside straight away.

"It's made a mess of the bedroom and all along the landing."

Mrs Stewart and her children John, 16, Jamie, 15, Michael, 14, Gary 13, Adam, 10, Gavin, nine, and seven-year-old Kelly were unhurt.

The fire brigade said it believed the blaze was started by the careless disposal of lighted material.

Firefighters pointed out the house had no smoke alarm which would have given earlier warning.

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