A Hampshire family had a lucky escape when their electric blanket caught fire in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Winchester were called to the family home in Fox Lane, where the fire had started in the first floor bedroom, just after 3am.

All five members of the family, including two children, were able to escape safely without injury before the firefighters arrived.

The crew successfully tackled the fire, after one of the residents had tried to put out the fire with a dry powder extinguisher.

Watch Manager Daniel Miles said: "The occupants of the two-storey property included three adults and two children, all of whom had a lucky escape.

"Althoug electric blankets have to comply with strict safety standards when they are sold, they do wear with age, and can become damaged."