A FAMILY who huddled under blankets to escape a blazing house did so as they remembered safety advice provided by the fire service months earlier.

Sharon Parsley and her four children were upstairs in their home on Aclet Close, Bishop Auckland, when a fire broke out in the kitchen.

They were alerted by a smell of smoke around 10pm on Monday (May 21).

Mrs Parsley, who uses a wheelchair, and her children John, 19, Kirsten, 18, Katherine, 16, and Chloe, 13, managed to escape.

They sheltered under blankets to make it outside of the house and also managed to rescue the family’s pet dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Mrs Parsley is being treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Bishop Auckland Fire Service sent two crews to the scene and fire crews used breathing apparatus.

Andy Bruce, assistant community protection and prevention officer for County Durham and Darlington Fire Service, said the cause of the blaze was being investigated.

He said: “The fire service had given the family advice and they followed it and made sure everyone got out.

“Everyone was upstairs and they had working smoke alarms and they were able to get out before the fire spread.”

To arrange a home fire safety visit, which includes fitting a free smoke alarm, call 0191-332-4222 or visit ddfire.gov.uk.