A FAMILY and their Christmas presents were saved by a smoke alarm after their pet dog knocked over a candle and started a fire in their home.

Jennifer McLean, 33, was asleep on her settee following a Christmas party when her eight-year-old springer spaniel Charlie knocked a cushion onto the lit candle.

A small blaze took hold in the living room, just feet away from the Christmas tree and presents, but a smoke alarm in the hallway woke Mrs McLean and her six-year-old son Ryan, who was asleep upstairs.

Mrs McLean, who had dozed off with a glass of wine at her house in Nares Road, Blackburn, woke to find her living room full of smoke just after 10.30pm on Saturday. She ran upstairs, dragged Ryan out of bed and tried to take her dog with them as they left the house.

But the stubborn pet refused to budge and was later rescued by firefighters.

Mrs McLean suffered shock and slight smoke inhalation and was given oxygen at the scene. The living room was damaged by smoke and a rug was burnt, although the family's Christmas tree and presents remained untouched.

Fire officers praised her actions in leaving the house immediately, but said the incident was a timely reminder of the extra fire dangers posed by Christmas.

Mrs McLean, whose son attends Griffin Park Primary School, said: "I can't put Charlie in the dog-house. It wasn't his fault. I fell asleep on one settee in front of the telly and Charlie sat on the other sofa.

"The next thing I know, the smoke alarm is going off and the room is full of thick smoke.

"Charlie must have got up and knocked a cushion off the sofa onto a scented candle on the floor.

"I went upstairs and got Ryan out of the house, but Charlie wouldn't come. Thankfully, the fire brigade got him out.

"I'm just thankful no one was hurt and that none of the presents were damaged. That would have been a nightmare."

Keith Cunliffe, Blackburn fire station watch manager, said: "This was an unfortunate accident which could so easily have ended in tragedy, but thankfully they had working smoke alarms.

"People need to take extra care over the festive period with the added danger of Christmas trees and lights, overloaded plug sockets, candles, parties and fireworks."

For free advice or smoke alarms call 0800 1691125.