'˜Smoke alarms saved us' - Midhurst couple were alerted when fire broke out as they slept

Smoke alarms saved the lives of a Midhurst couple after fire broke out in their home as they slept in their beds early on Monday morning (February 27).
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Mar 2017, 12:02 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:52 BST

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Ted and Wendy Liddle in the remains of their utility room.ks170113-1Ted and Wendy Liddle in the remains of their utility room.ks170113-1
Ted and Wendy Liddle in the remains of their utility room.ks170113-1

Ted and Wendy Liddle say they are lucky to be alive after an overheated cable started a blaze in the utility room of their Elmleigh home.

Matt Gamblen, Midhurst fire station watch manger said: “As we got there, the fire was just about entering the house, it was that close and if the smoke alarms hadn’t gone off they would still have been asleep in their beds.

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“This is a really good example of just how important it is to have properly fitted alarms.”

Ted, a former police officer who now runs Pro-tec, Security said: “I am terrified of fire. I have seen too many and the damage they can cause in my time as an officer.”

As a result the couple have nine fire alarms as well as carbon monoxide alarms and a gas detector.

“Without a doubt the smoke alarms raised our lives.”

Wendy woke shortly after 3am when she heard what she thought was Ted’s mobile phone ringing.

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