North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is highlighting the dangers of chip pans and the life saving properties of smoke alarms following the lucky escape of a family from a house fire on Anglesey.

Firefighters from Holyhead, Rhosneigr and Llangefni were called to a fire in a house atQueensPark, Holyhead at 06.43hrs on Sunday 23 September.

The fire had started after a chip pan was left unattended. The occupants, a couple and their son, were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm fitted at the premises. The woman was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Firefighters used one hose reel jet, a carbon dioxide extinguisher and two sets of breathing apparatus in dealing with the incident which had resulted in the kitchen becoming badly smoke damaged.

Terry Williams, Community Safety Manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This family was very lucky. The son fell asleep after returning from a night out, having left the chip pan on - it was the smoke alarm that alerted everyone to the fire.

"In 2007, Sean Bowers, 24, from Penyffordd and Andrew Roberts, 39, from Ruthin, died following separate fires in their homes - both caused by chip pans being left unattended.

"My sincere advice is to throw away your old style chip pan - thermostatically controlled deep fat fryers are a far safer option.

"In just a few minutes, the oil in a chip pan can overheat and cause the pan to ignite. A small fire can quickly develop into one that is serious and life threatening - and if you're asleep and a fire breaks out, you're in serious trouble. Just a couple of breaths of smoke can be enough to knock you completely unconscious.

"The best way to give yourself the chance to escape unharmed from a fire is to ensure you have a working smoke alarm. To register for a free home fire safety check where we fit new smoke alarms free of charge, please call our 24 hour hotline on freephone 0800 169 1234 or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk.