Two crews from Cosham, along with its Special Equipment Unit, and one crew from Portchester station, were called to a house in Ludlow Road, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, at 2pm yesterday, where smoke could be seen pouring from a bedroom window at the front of the house.

Two residents who were in were alerted to the blaze by the smoke alarms. They got out of the house and called for help.

The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Cosham watch manager Kevin Lloyd-Spencer said: 'Unfortunately, the bedroom was badly damaged by fire, heat and smoke.

'The residents were alerted to the fire by smoke detectors fitted by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on a free Home Fire Safety Visit.'

To be considered for a home fire safety visit call (023) 8062 6809.

The visits involve firefighters checking your home for possible hazards, giving fire safety advice and fitting smoke detectors where appropriate.