A FAMILY had a lucky escape yesterday when a fire began in their living room.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze began at home in Benson Place, Oxford, at about 3.35pm after a candle on top of a television caused a fire, which had got out of control.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke billowing from the house but put out the fire.

Incident Commander Sean Mienie, of Rewley Road Fire Station, said the house did not have a working fire alarm.

He added: “Had this same incident occurred in the middle of the night, the outcome could have been far worse.

“Without the working smoke alarms the family were not immediately alerted.

“If you do use candles please make sure they are placed in appropriate holders and never left unattended.”