A FAMILY had to flee their home in the middle of the night after a tumble dryer burst into flames.

Firefighters were called to Rydal Road, in Heaton, at about 11.45pm yesterday to reports of a house fire.

The family, including two children under ten, were awoken by smoke alarms and got out of the house unharmed before calling the fire service.

The mother of the family, who asked not to be named, described how black plumes escaped from the utility room after her husband went to investigate.

She said: " It was the most frightening thing. We thought there was a fire but weren’t sure where and the next thing it just came like a thick fog. Thank goodness our smoke detectors were working.

"We just covered up the kids and said ‘don’t breathe while you go down stairs'. They were really calm, calmer than I was."

She added: "It doesn’t bear thinking about what would have happened if the smoke alarms hadn’t been working. You hear a lot of horror stories."

The blaze was contained to a utility room at the back of the house, which was badly smoke damaged, but did not spread due to the door being closed.

The tumble dryers was destroyed in the fire, while a washing machine next to it was badly damaged.

The family stayed with neighbours while crews dealt with the fire.

Watch manager Mick Hodson said the blaze 'could have been a lot worse' had it not been for the smoke alarms alerting the family.

And he also warned about the importance of disconnecting household appliances when they are not in use.

He said: "The family said they didn't have it running but it was still switched on with the power to it.

"We always say never leave them on if you're not in and turn the power off to them, as well.

"This tells you the importance of smoke alarms and unplugging tumble dryers and washing machines.

"Even if they're not turned on they still have power to them and can still set alight."

He added: "The family were not really affected by it, it was just the shock when they found it.

"It wasn't burning badly, just smouldering, we used one hose real and took the tumble dryer and washing machine outside."

However he spoke to the father, believed to be in his 30s, about the dangers of electrical appliances.

Mr Hodson said: "We explained to him it could've been a lot worse. You just try to point out what could've happened instead of what did, the positives instead of the negatives."

Three fire engines were initially sent to the incident but two quickly stood down.

Firefighters were at the scene for about 40 minutes.