A FAMILY were lucky to escape from a fire at a house in Sharples which started after an e-cigarette charger had been left on overnight, firefighters said.

Two adults and two children had to flee the house, in Thirlspot Close, at about 3.45am today.

Firefighters said the house did not have a smoke alarm, and that they were only alerted to the blaze by one of the girls, both believed to be aged under 10, who heard a loud "pop" after the charger ignited.

The house was filled with smoke, but the family declined hospital treatment.

Watch manager Ian Tattersall, from Bolton central fire station, said: "The family have been awoken in the middle of the night by the little child.

"They were fortunate to get out really. They didn't have a smoke alarm. They did have a carbon monoxide alarm, but that didn't go off.

"They managed to evacuate from the house themselves, but not before the house was totally smoke-logged."

Mr Tattersall said that early indications suggest the blaze was caused by the charger, which had been left on in the living room.

He added: "We think the fire was down to an e-cigarette charger. We believe the child heard a large pop, as these charges go with a bit of force.

"The charger was in the living room, but unfortunately the whole of the house has been smoke-logged because the doors were opened. There has been an awful lot of smoke damage."

He added that this was the third fire involving e-cigarette chargers that he had been called to, and warned people to be careful when using them.

Mr Tattersall said: "We are starting to get more of these incidents because of this type of thing.

"I would say to people - please don't leave them charging overnight as something like this can happen."

The family are said to be staying with friends.