A FAMILY Bible was one of the only possessions to survive a raging fire which gutted a flat.

A power cut meant 39-year-old Karen Torgerson had to read her Bible by candlelight at her home in Washington, Wearside, and fell asleep with the flame still burning.

Karen was woken by the screams of her six-year-old son, Joe, in the early hours at their home in Collingwood Court, in the Sulgrave area of the town.

The candle had overheated and ignited pillows, curtains and Karen's nightdress, but the Bible survived the blaze.

She said: "The only thing that didn't suffer damage was my Bible. It was nothing short of a miracle. I think somebody was watching over us. I just thank God that my children are all right."

When Karen and sons Adam, 16, Danny, 14, and Joe, were outside their home, Karen attempted to go back to rescue ginger kitten Suzie, but was pulled back by firefighters. Karen was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation