A YOUNG family have told of their lucky escape after logs stored beside a wood-burning stove caught fire while they were asleep.

Matthew Cornthwaite and Amy Chambers, both 27, and youngsters Rowan, nine, and Theodore, three, were in bed at their home in Alliance Street, Baxenden when the fire started at around 4am yesterday morning.

Most of the smoke escaped up the chimney but the fire also produced deadly carbon monoxide.

It was only when a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the house sounded that the family realised they were in danger.

The family escaped and called the fire service who put out the fire, which melted the family’s flatscreen TV, burnt the mantelpiece and left the living room blackened.

“Without a carbon monoxide detector we might not have woken up,” Matthew said. “It could have got into our bedrooms and the kids’ bedrooms. It’s a blessing we have one. The logs were smouldering more than anything but the living room was full of smoke.”

Matthew said the logs had been placed beside the fire for decoration and had been there for at least 12 months.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue watch manager Steve Barnes said: “This incident highlight's the risk of carbon monoxide build-up from burnt gases.

“At the time of the incident the family were upstairs asleep and wouldn't have had any idea what was happening.

“This could have concluded in a very different outcome.”

Mr Barnes urged people who have wood burners to consider where they store their wood, that they have the correct flue, which should be double-lined to withstand high temperatures, and to fit both smoke detectors and a carbon moxonide alarm.

Carbon moxonide is dubbed the ‘silent killer’. It’s colourless, odourless and tasteless and is toxic to humans and animals. It is released during combustion and without a detector it is unnoticeable.

Matthew’s message to people without one is simple: “Get one. If one person’s live is saved through all this then it’s worth it.”