A FATHER whose family escaped from their burning home said a smoke alarm helped them to get out in time.

Ed Mycock, of Orchard Road, in Arnside, said he wanted to tell people about the importance of smoke alarms.

He also praised the retained fire-fighters who were at the scene within five minutes.

Mr Mycock, who is vice chairman of Arnside Parish Council, his wife, Di, and three-year-old daughter Ellie, were alerted to the fire by the smoke alarm on Sunday morning.

They rang the fire brigade and got out of the house safely.

Mr Mycock said an electrical fault in the meter cupboard caused the blaze, which left considerable fire damage and a lot of smoke damage.

"I'm feeling very evangelical about smoke alarms," Mr Mycock said.

"Another five minutes would have made a huge difference.

"The retained lads were there within five minutes - we are very fortunate to have a retained fire brigade."

Cumbria fire service said they put out the blaze using extinguishers.