A LAUNCESTON family were able to escape a severe fire at their home in the early hours of the morning thanks to a smoke detector which alerted them to the blaze.

Two appliances from Launceston and two from Callington were called to the severe house fire at Queen Elizabeth Road, Ridgegrove, Launceston at around 3am on Tuesday. The first appliances were in attendance within ten minutes.

A member of the Launceston crew, who lives nearby to the property, spotted smoke and went directly to the address to make sure everybody had got out of the building. Once he had established nobody was inside, he waited for the appliances to arrive.

Luckily the family, including two adults and three children, aged 12, eight and three, were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarm and had managed to get out of the property uninjured. The family had also practiced an escape plan.

Lorraine Bennellick said that when the smoke alarm used to go off at home, the family would practice a fire drill: "We would go outside and sit on the bench. The children knew not to take anything with them."

She added: "They did really well last night. In all the smoke and what could have been complete panic they were calm and I'm really proud of them."

The family's dog also escaped the fire but had to be taken to the vets as she had suffered burns to her paws and face. The firefighters rescued three parrots which Mrs Bennellick said were "picking up".

The crews used two jets, two hosereels and eight breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire, which was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in the utility room.

Launceston Station Officer Gary Chapman said: "The smoke detector did exactly what it was supposed to do. The family had a very, very lucky escape and it proves what we're telling people does work."

Members of the fire brigade returned to the area later on Tuesday morning to give local residents fire safety advice. The fire brigade offers free home fire safety checks.

Mrs Bennellick wished to thank everyone who had helped them since the fire. "People have been absolutely marvellous. Out of all of it, it's a joy and privilege to know there are still people like that in the world.

"We came out of the house only with the pyjamas we were wearing, that's all we have left, but people have given us some clothes and the kids have been given toys. Everybody's been absolutely great."