FIRE crews had to smash their way into a Worcester optician's during the early hours today after a fire left a couple trapped.

Ten firefighters wearing breathing apparatus broke into Spec Express after the pair, who were in their second-floor flat above the St Swithin's Street shop, raised the alarm just after 3.20am.

Leading firefighter Shaun D'Oliveira said the city's Green Watch had struggled with thick black smoke to find the blaze, believed to have been sparked by an electrical fault.

The couple were taken to Ronkswood's A&E for checks but discharged shortly afterwards.

"We sent crews in to rescue them and, as there wasn't a lot of smoke in their area, we walked them out," he said.

Alarm fault

"But the smoke in the optician's was very dense and it was difficult to find the fire, which was in the basement. We ended up cutting through the floorboards to find it.

"We believe the fire, which was probably started by an electrical fault, had been going on for some time and the smoke could have broken through to the couple were at any moment."

Alec Mackie, of Worcester Fire Brigade, said the situation could have been much worse as the couple's smoke alarm was not in working order.

"The couple did all the right things," he said.

"But, if the dense smoke had gone into the flat, it could have been much more serious as their smoke alarm wouldn't have woken them up.

"It was only the hot weather which caused one of them to wake. Smoke alarms should be fitted, but occupants must make sure they're maintained."