A FAMILY were alerted to a blaze in the house when a smoke alarm sounded - even though it was still in the box!

The alarm was believed to have been bought just a few weeks ago and had a battery, but it had not been fitted in place.

A chip pan blaze at the house in New Wellington Street, Blackburn, caused the alarm to activate, even though it was in its box in a cupboard.

Blackburn fire station officer Barry Ryan said: "It was very fortunate for them that the alarm went off.

"If the alarm had have been in the correct place then the damage to the kitchen from the fire would not have been so bad because the occupants could have been alerted earlier.

"But even so, it goes to show that smoke alarms are life savers and every home should have them."

Three people were in the house when the fire broke out just before 4 am.

The kitchen was left badly damaged, and the heat from the flames was so strong that a clock and the blinds melted.

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