A FAMILY of four had a lucky escape after a fire broke out in the kitchen of their home in Bury.

A faulty toaster burst into flames at the house in Belbeck Street, Elton, shortly before 11pm on Sunday.

The family, who were upstairs at the time, had bought two smoke alarms for the house but they were still in their box.

Fortunately, a folding kitchen door contained the majority of the smoke in the kitchen extension - just enough for the family to be alerted and escape.

Station Officer Mark Williams from Bury said: "I can't emphasise enough how lucky this family were."

"We were on the scene within four minutes and the house had already become completely smoke logged.

"The family are deeply shocked. They had just finished decorating the house and had bought the smoke alarms but they had not been fitted."