This is Mike and Sarah’s story of how in a matter of minutes they lost their home in a devastating fire.

The fire started in their bedroom while they were up watching TV. Mike and Sarah had working smoke alarms in their hallway within three meters of the bedrooms but they were alerted to the crackling sound of a fire spreading before the smoke had spread to the hallway to set off the alarm.

It was lucky they were awake to hear the fire. We recommend having smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and living area.

Smoke alarms may not save your property, but they can save your life. You are four times more likely to survive a house fire if you have working smoke alarms installed.