A MOTHER and her five-month-old baby were treated for smoke inhalation after a blaze at their Burnley home.

Beverley Cudworth, 33, of Lowerhouse Lane and baby George were taken to hospital after the fire at 9.20pm yesterday.

Fire crews were called to the property after a dehumidifier caught fire in the kitchen.

Mrs Cudworth discovered the blaze and managed to escape from the house with George, although both breathed in smoke before their escape.

They were given first aid at the scene by firefighters before paramedics took them to Burnley General Hospital by ambulance.

Neither was believed to be in a serious condition, although a fire chief said today things could have been much worse if the fire had started in the middle of the night.

Station Officer Shaun Naughton of Burnley fire and rescue said: "There was a smoke alarm in the property although it was just lying on a worktop rather than properly fitted. "It went off, but not until after Mrs Cudworth discovered the fire herself. If she and the baby had been asleep upstairs it could have been a very different story."

The kitchen was badly damaged by smoke from the incident and other rooms in the house suffered minor damage.

Fire crews were due to revisit the area today to talk to neighbours and fit smoke alarms in properties without them.

Station Officer Naughton said: "We will continue to visit houses and fit smoke alarms wherever necessary because they save lives. If people want fire safety advice or an alarm fitted they can always contact the fire station and we will arrange a visit."