FIREFIGHTERS have urged householders to ensure their smoke alarms are correctly fitted after being alerted to a fire and finding an activated alarm in a cupboard.

Members of the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service who were called to the blaze in Laurel Crescent, Thornley, at 10pm on Saturday, confined the fire to the front room.

A brigade spokesman said: "It was a relief to find there was no one inside the property. If anyone had been asleep, it may have been a different story.

"The fire was sparked when a coal got past a fire guard and set an armchair alight.

"We were contacted when a passer by heard the smoke alarm, but it was in the cupboard.

"The householder had connected it, but never knew how to put the alarm up himself.

"People have the perception that they are very difficult to install, when in fact it is quite easy."

He said it was advisable to have two smoke alarms fitted; one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs.

For advice on fitting alarms, call Ron Bainbridge on 0191-332 4311.