A FAMILY had a “very lucky” escape from a house fire after an electric blanket went up in smoke last night.

An elderly couple and their daughter were forced to flee a property in Mansion Avenue just after midnight when the blanket started a fire in a first floor bedroom.

Three fire engines from Whitefield, Broughton and Bury attended at around 12.30am and were on the scene for around an hour.

The fire caused some damage to the room which was unoccupied at the time and was only discovered after the daughter smelt smoke.

She alerted her parents to the danger and they fled outside.

Whitefield watch manager Patrick Walsh issued a warning of the dangers of leaving an electric blanket unattended.

He said: “The occupants are very lucky to escape unharmed from a serious harm in the early hours of the morning.

“The damage from the fire could have been much more serious if it had not been discovered.

“People should be very cautious when using electric blankets in this day and age.”

What caused the electric blanket to catch fire is not yet known.