A SMOKE alarm has been credited with saving four people’s lives after a fire started in their home.

The adult and three children were woken up by the beeping when the blaze started in the lounge of their house in Oakemore Gardens, St Mary Cray.

They managed to get out of the property at around 4am on Wednesday (July 28) before calling the fire brigade.

Orpington and Biggin Hill station manager Terry Gooding said: “Even though our fire crews managed to contain the fire to the downstairs lounge area the smoke damage was considerable.

“The fact that this family had a working smoke alarm, which gave them early warning of the fire, undoubtedly helped save their lives.”