A family had a lucky escape from their smoke-logged home after fire broke out.

The smoke damage has left the family homeless days before Christmas, and facing a race against time to try to get the house cleaned in time for Christmas Day.

The fire started in the airing cupboard and was contained there, but the smoke spread throughout the house.

The couple got the two children out of the house, in Langdale Drive, High Woods, Colchester, and called the fire brigade.

Firefighter Kevin Mitson said: "They had a lucky escape because of the smoke. This stresses the importance of smoke alarms."

The two children were today staying with family while their parents tried to get the house clear of smoke.

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Published Thursday, December 23, 2004

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