A COUPLE fled from their home after their bedding caught fire late at night.

Firefighters were called to Masefield Drive, Farnworth at around midnight to reports of a house fire.

Two people, believed to be in their late forties, were in bed in the front bedroom when the smoke alarm alerted them to the fire.

They managed to get themselves out of the property before firefighters arrived.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated but watch manager Steve Coote, from Farnworth fire station, said the damage was contained to the mattress and bedding.

Mr Coote said the smoke alarm 'potentially helped to save lives on this occasion' and the early warning helped stop the fire causing too much damage.

Fire crews from Farnworth and Bolton attended the scene and were there for around an hour.

Mr Coote said firefighters will be in the Farnworth area next week and available to fit smoke alarms if people need them.

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