Family escapes house fire in Leeds UPDATED

The girl was asleep in an attic bedroom of the terraced house on Highthorne Grove in Armley when she was woken up by a smoke alarm shortly before 10.30am.

She discovered a fire raging in the attic’s other bedroom but managed to make her way downstairs and safely get out of the property.

Two other family members, a man and a boy, were also able to flee the house uninjured.

The dormer attic of the house was destroyed by the fire, which charred timbers in the loft areas of five other properties on the street.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service watch commander Darrell Hird said: “This family have had a very lucky escape and it is down to the fact they were alerted by a smoke alarm.

“Had this not been the case I fear the teenager could have been trapped by this serious fire on the top floor.

“She had to pass the fire to get out of the property which must have been pretty scary for her.

“When firefighters arrived, the upstairs windows had smashed and there was an awful lot of heat.

“When crews in breathing apparatus and protective kit got to the top of the stairs the fire was rolling over their heads.

“The fire was so severe in the room of origin that it has partially burned through the floor.

“Fortunately it has not spread to the rest of the property and this is due to the efforts of firefighters.”

Fire crews from Leeds, Hunslet and Stanningley attended the incident.