Explosions heard as Cradley house hit by fire

Firefighters were called to Shelton Lane, in Cradley, at 3.30am and found flames emerging from the building.

The fire had spread to a bedroom directly above the garage, setting fire to floorboards.

The rest of the house was filled with thick smoke.

The family inside, a couple with three children, had already escaped the property when fire crews arrived.

They had been alerted to the fire by neighbours, firefighters said.

Fire crews used two hose reels and breathing equipment to extinguish the severe blaze.

No-one had been injured in the fire.

Fire crews remained at the scene until around 8am today and they will be returning throughout the day to check on the property.

Police were also called and investigations are underway to find the cause of the fire.

The house remained sealed off behind a police cordon this morning.

Neighbour Claire Saunders said she and her family has been awoken by the sound of explosions next door.

She said: "We heard a series of loud bangs and looked out of the window to see the flames coming from the house.

"There was a lot of what sounded like explosions.

"We phoned for the fire service to attend and could see one of the trees near our own home had also caught fire.

"It was very frightening."

Watch Commander Tom Bell, from Cradley Fire Station, said: "None of the family were injured but due to the severity of the fire they were very lucky."

He also said he believed it was only due to the prompt response of the fire crews that the fire was prevented from taking hold of the rest of the building.

The fire has not impacted any adjourning properties.

The garage door is completing removed and the metal warped from the heat of the fire. Inside is only the blackened shell of the garage.

The front of the building has escaped series damage, but all the windows have been opened to vent the smoke from the property.

A police car remained outside the house this morning.