A DEDDINGON family was “extremely lucky” to have escaped after an unattended candle caused a house fire in The Deadings, the fire service said.

The fire started in the bathroom at about 3am on Saturday. The home’s smoke alarm did not have a working battery.

Two people were in the house at the time and were treated for smoke inhalation, before being taken to hospital.

Banbury station manager Mark Ames said: “The occupants of this property were extremely lucky to have escaped without severe injury.”

“Candles should never be left unattended and should be carefully extinguished if you are leaving the room.”