A DISCARDED cigarette engulfed a kitchen in an early morning blaze - whilst a young family slept upstairs.

Miraculously, the parents and two young boys, aged six and three, smelt the burning fumes and escaped in a well-rehearsed evacuation.

Their home in Navigation Close, Murdishaw, was so badly gutted they had to move out.

Sub officer Neil Brookes, said: "It could have been an awful lot worse. It's the smoke that kills."

A cigarette thrown in a kitchen bin, set fire to a washing machine, freezer and kitchen units.

Firefighters discovered the house well alight at 1.55am, last Thursday. One member of the public suffered slight smoke inhalation.

"The family was upstairs asleep," said sub officer Brookes. "Fortunately, this family had a well-rehearsed night-time routine, smelt smoke and started to evacuate before the smoke detector operated."

In the run-up to Christmas, firefighters warn residents to be extra careful.

"Families should create a night time routine," said sub officer Brookes.

"Put cigarettes into metal receptacles, preferably outside. Close all doors, especially kitchen and living room doors as these are areas of high probability for a fire to start."

Make sure smoke detectors are working, he said, and rehearse an emergency escape route.

"Each family should have its own evacuation plan," he said. "Children should be aware of it and be able to take charge in case they discover the fire first."

Be very careful with candles during the festivities and ensure your electrical equipment confirms to British standard.

Free home fire safety checks and further advice is available from Runcorn fire station.