RESIDENTS are urged to ensure they have smoke alarms fitted after firefighters were called to a blaze at a house in Eccleston.

It broke out at Sadlers Lane in Eccleston at around 2.20pm today.

The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in a wall light.

It spread to a book case and caused severe fire damage to the lounge. There was also smoke damage to the remainder of the property.

The occupants were not home at the time and were no smoke alarms present in the property.

Watch Manager Mike Costello, of Eccleston Community Fire Station, said: "There were no working smoke alarms in the house at the time. If the property had been occupied it could have been a much more serious incident.

"We completed a Home Fire Safety Check and fitted smoke alarms. Smoke alarms give an early warning of a fire.

"We advise that everybody has a smoke alarm fitted on each floor of their property and that they test them every week."

For free fire safety advice call 0800 731 5958.