A family of four from Bromley had a ’lucky escape’ after their house went up in flames.

A house in Portland Road caught fire around 9pm last night (March 25).

Three family members were upstairs when the son noticed smoke downstairs.

He managed to raise the alarm allowing them all to escape unharmed.

Unaware of the inferno building below them, the Fire Brigade estimates another five minutes could have led to ‘a very different ending.’

MORE TOP STORIES Watch Manager James French, who was at the scene, said: “This family had a lucky escape as they didn’t have a smoke alarm and so they had no idea a fire was developing beneath them.

“It was their son who by chance noticed the smoke and raised the alarm.

“If there had been another five minutes before the fire was noticed, this story could have had a very different ending.

“The fire was very developed when we arrived; smoke and flames were visible from the front door.

“Crews did well to stop the fire from spreading to a neighbouring property.”

Around half the first floor and second floor of the house – which did not have a smoke alarm – was destroyed in the blaze.

It took 21 fire-fighters from three stations to quell the flames, which were under control by 10.15pm.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.