Deeplish family in extremely lucky escape from inferno

A family had what firefighters have described as an ‘extremely lucky escape’ when an inferno blazed through their Deeplish home.

Having been alerted to the fire by their eldest son, Mohammed and Misbah Javed leaped more than ten feet from a first-floor window to safety with their sons Mohammed Wayahjat and Mohammed Ilias, aged eleven and three, as the fire engulfed the upstairs of their Hereford Street house.

The family were rushed to Rochdale Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation.

Mr Javed was treated for a cut caused by broken glass while his younger son suffered a laceration to his arm and face.

Elder son Mohammed Wayahjat broke his leg in the leap to safety and suffered deep cuts to his lower leg.

Crews from Rochdale and Littleborough got the blaze under but remained on site for several hours.

Police and fire investigators were called in to investigate over fears the blaze had been started by vandals but the cause was soon established as ‘carelessly discarded smoking materials’.

Investigators said they had not found a smoke alarm at the property.

Fire investigator Deon Webber said: “The occupants were extremely lucky to have escaped. The fire had started in the lounge, smouldering for a couple of hours before breaking into flames.

“The living room has been completely burnt out and the fire has caused severe damage to both bedrooms.”

He added: “While the family was lucky, it is important to stress that your chances of escaping a fire is vastly increased if you fit a smoke alarm.”