AN Evesham fireman has warned parents to keep smoking materials out of the reach of children and fit working smoke alarms after a family of seven had a lucky escape from a living room fire.

Sub officer John Lawrie spoke out after the family escaped from a burning living room at a house in Deacle Place, Evesham, at 6.24am on Monday.

It is believed the fire, which badly damaged the living room, was started by a child playing with a cigarette lighter.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus to carry out a search of the building after it was thought people were still inside but it was later established they had gone to a neighbouring house to alert the fire service.

Sub officer Lawrie said it was believed the parents were asleep in the living room at the time of the fire and, had the smoke alarm not woken up them up, lives may have been lost.

He said: "In this day and age it isn't prudent to leave lighters or smoking materials where they can be accessed by small children.

"This should serve as a reminder to everyone in the Evesham area to ensure they have a smoke alarm fitted and that they are working.

"This was a very serious fire and it would have cost the family their lives if they had not been woken up by the alarm."