A FAMILY had a lucky escape on Christmas Day after arsonists set fire to a pile of rubbish at the back of their home.

The blaze spread to the uPVC rear door and frame, filling rooms with toxic fumes shortly before midnight.

The family of five managed to flee the house in Spencer Road, Teesville, near Middlesbrough, before fire crews arrived to tackle the blaze.

Firefighter Alan Philips said the family were lucky to escape as toxic fumes filled their home and warned about the dangers of taking batteries out of smoke alarms.

He said: "Rubbish and boxes had been stacked outside the back door and someone deliberately started a fire which soon spread to the door and frame, filling the house with thick toxic fumes.

"There were two adults and three children in the house. Luckily the youngest child woke up and alerted the rest of the family who managed to safely get out in time."

He said fumes from the burning door gave off thick, black smoke which could have proved fatal.

"The family had smoke alarms fitted but the batteries had been taken out, which could have proved disastrous.

"If the child hadn't woken up it could have been fatalities we were dealing with.

"When we got there the family had just got out and the house was completely smoke logged."

A crew from Middlesbrough station and one from Redcar were called to tackle the blaze.

The fire came days after Cleveland Fire Brigade's community safety supervisor Dave Turton warned people to be extra vigilant over the festive period in a bid to avoid death and needless injuries due to accidental home fires.

Christmas trees, fairy lights, candles and smoking are all extra fire risks during the festive period.

He said: "I would urge everyone in particular to ensure they have a working smoke alarm fitted on each level in their home, and have a home fire safety check done by the fire brigade."

For a safety check, call (01642) 874063 for details.