Probe after family escape house fire in Mansfield

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire

A family, including two children aged five and six, escaped from a fire which severely damaged a house in a Nottinghamshire town.

Crews from Mansfield and Blidworth were called to the semi-detached home on Hathersage Walk in Mansfield at about 0420 BST.

The house next door was damaged by smoke.

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire, which is thought to have started in a wheelie bin.

Householder Lyndon Brookhurst said: "All I saw was fire coming through the letterbox, so then I just picked the phone up and dialled 999 - and got my kids out of the house."

Paul Vasper of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "They are extremely lucky.

"They were woken up by the fire but also their smoke alarm did go off as well - just shows that it is worthwhile having a smoke alarm within the house."