A COUPLE have said they were "very fortunate" things weren't worse after their electric blanket caught fire and engulfed their bedroom in flames.

The fire happened last Tuesday at the Malton home of Mike Barker, 78, owner of a Norton used car dealership, and his wife Margaret, 77.

The fire started at about 11.45pm. Mrs Barker said that the couple had been late to bed that night as her husband had been at the football in York.

"It was quite chilly so I put the blankets on," she said, adding that often she will turn them on and leave them for up to half an hour.

She said her husband had taken their dog out briefly when she returned to the bedroom, just two minutes after turning the blankets on.

"The bed was blazing," she said. "There were flames three foot high. The alarms were going off like mad."

Despite billowing smoke, she called out the window to her husband, who came back in and grabbed their fire extinguisher, while Mrs Barker phoned the fire service.

"We were fortunate we had a fire extinguisher - if we hadn't had one, things would have been much worse," she said.

"It was horrendous. I keep thinking about it - what could have happened. We were so lucky.

"I couldn't comprehend how fast and devastating it could be. Unless it happens to you, you don't realise how fast it can take hold."

Two fire crews from the Malton station attended within minutes. Though the flames had been extinguished, they ventilated the property and used a thermal imaging camera to sweep for hot spots. They also helped the couple take the charred duvet and burnt remnants of the bedroom outside.

In the wake of the incident, the fire service also praised the quick actions of the couple and issued guidance about using and storing electric blankets.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "In this instance the fire could have been worse, but thankfully it was spotted quickly by the householder.

"If a fire breaks out in your home we would always advise leaving the property and calling the fire service.

"We would also recommend fitting smoke alarms on every level of your home to give you an early warning if a fire does break out."

The spokesman added: "All electrical appliances should be kept clean and in good working order to reduce the chances of them triggering a fire.

"Electric blankets should always be stored flat, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damage to the wiring. They should also be unplugged before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all night use."

Mrs Barker added that they won't be using electric blankets again, adding: "Hot water bottles don't burst into flames."