FIRE chiefs are warning people to replace their smoke alarm batteries after a couple had a close call when a blaze broke out at their home.

Firefighters were called to the house in Stockbridge Road, Padiham, at 9pm on Sunday after the couple were alerted to a fire in their bathroom when they smelt smoke.

Their smoke alarm had not sounded as they had taken out the batteries earlier because they had expired but had failed to replace them.

It took two fire engines 40 minutes to tackle the blaze which had started in the bathroom of the two storey terraced house.

Fire crews used breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera to help them put out the fire.

Duncan Baker-Brown, watch manager, said: "The fire was caused by a faulty timer on a boiler. The couple had a very lucky escape.

"I would urge people to check the batteries in their smoke detectors frequently and remember to replace them as soon as they are removed."