A MOTHER and three children fled from a blaze that wrecked their home.

Carol Monaghan and her youngsters escaped unscathed from the flames which severely damaged the sitting room of their home in Southport Close, Portrack, Stockton.

It took firefighters half an hour to bring yesterday's blaze under control. The entire ground floor of the house was severely damaged by smoke.

Crews had to break down the back door of the end terrace home to reach the fire.

There was a smoke alarm fitted, but Mrs Monaghan had removed the battery.

She said: "The reason why I did not have a battery in it was every time I cooked it used to go off - all the time. It was very annoying, but knowing what I know now, I would rather put up with the noise than not having it working."

Although the fire was started accidentally George Crooks of the Arson Investigation Unit said: "A smoke alarm is the first line of defence in our homes.

"It is our eyes, ears and nose when we are asleep at night. It can warn us of the dangers of fire, giving those vital minutes to allow time to raise the alarm and escape.''

Mrs Monaghan and her three boys, aged 18, 14 and eight years, are staying with friends until they can be rehoused.