A FAMILY who escaped a house blaze in Radcliffe has joined forces with the fire brigade to warn of the dangers of novelty cigarette lighters.

Seven people, including Carrie Withey and her three-year-old son Scott, were led to safety from a house in Ulundi Street when a fire broke out in the upstairs bedroom in October.

Damage costing thousands of pounds was caused by the flames which spread through the first floor of the end-terraced property.

The fire was caused by Scott, now aged 4, who was playing with a lighter shaped like a toy pistol.

With Christmas just a few weeks away, firefighters have launched a new appeal to alert homeowners of the dangers of novelty lighters which can be deadly if they fall into tiny hands.

Fire prevention officer Andy Sullivan said: "We educate children not to play with matches and ordinary lighters but these novelty lighters go against everything we teach.

"The fun lighters come in a wide range of shapes including mobile phones, playing cards, hairdryers, spark plugs, fire extinguishers and cars. Children cannot be blamed for seeing and playing with them because they think they are simple toys.

"It is up to parents who own these novelty lighters to keep them away from their children at all times."

Miss Withey is backing the campaign and has thrown away novelty lighters since the October house fire.

She said: "I won't have them in my house. Scott thought he was playing with a water pistol when he accidentally set for to the bed.

"The fire at my friend's house could have had fatal consequences."

Sub Officer Sullivan added: "We are not against the sale of these novelty lighters but we urge anyone thinking of buying one for themselves or as a Christmas present to consider whose hands they may fall into."