THREE fish were saved after an electrical fault in their fish tank caused a house fire.

Firefighters were called to Wilton Avenue, Dormans-town, east Cleveland, on Tuesday, after a smoke alarm alerted the owners to the fire in an upstairs bedroom.

Sandra Varley, who works in the Seabreeze fish shop in Guisborough and lives in the house with husband, Terry, and son, Troy, 19, said she was amazed firefighters had managed to save the three fish.

Redcar Station Officer Paul Hodgson said the tank had only an inch of water left inside because of the heat.

The fire caused smoke damage throughout the house.