Family of four escape injury following Coleraine house fire

Q Radio news

Four people have had a 'lucky escape' after fleeing a house fire in Coleraine, Co Londonderry. 

It happened in the Long Commons area of the town at around 5.15am this morning.

Firefighters believe it started in a cupboard at the back of the end-terraced property.

Police also attended the scene alongside crews from Coleraine and Portrush fire stations. 

John Bacon from the fire service says it was a lucky escape for the family, who are said to be shaken by the incident.

He told Q Radio the family did not have any working smoke alarms fitted, after they were disconnected during recent renovations. 

 "Their saving grace on this occasion, I believe, is they closed the internal doors of the property before going to bed" he said. 

"This stopped the smoke from progressing through the building and allowed them to escape without the smoke closing off the escape route."

"The Northern Ireland ambulance service attended the scene, and a number of people were examined for the effects of smoke inhilation."

The cause of the blaze yet to be determined.