A TEENAGE boy escaped through a bedroom window after fire broke out at his home on Monday.

Two pets dogs were rescued from the blaze in the Mowden area of Darlington, which happened at around 8.30am.

The boy, reportedly 15, was the only occupant and firefighters spent several several hours getting the fire under control.

The Northern Echo: Emergency services at the scene of the fire on Conyers Avenue in the Mowden area of DarlingtonEmergency services at the scene of the fire on Conyers Avenue in the Mowden area of Darlington

A neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "It was about nine o clock yesterday I noticed there was a commotion.

"But you often hear machines and things so I didn’t think much about it.

"When I looked out there was just stacks of smoke and lots of firemen around.

"There were about two or three engines and an ambulance.

"We must have missed the flames, when I started to look out they we’re really flooding the place with water.

“You can see from the bedroom window the fire really got hold.”
“The main thing is that everybody is ok.”

It is believed that gas engineers arrived at the home yesterday to isolate the supply, while the fire did not spread to the neighbouring house.

The aftermath of the scene Video: ALEXA FOX

An investigation will be carried out into the cause of the fire, however, at this time, it is not thought to be suspicious.

Mal Woodward, assistant district manager of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The young man was able to self-rescue before we had arrived after smoke filled his bedroom.

"It was only because he slept with his bedroom door closed that the smoke wasn’t thicker and therefore more dangerous to him.

"We would like to encourage everyone to close their internal doors at night, this cannot only prevent fire from spreading and also prevent the dangers of smoke inhalation.”

There is smoke damage to the whole property.