Hundreds of residents turned out to watch a dramatic recreation of a family trapped in a burning house in Telford.

The smoke levels generated by a real fire were recreated last night as a warning for those without working smoke alarms.

Firefighters chose a housing estate in Donnington for the drama because of the high number of property fires in the area.

Actors recreated the family’s panic after smoke filled the three-bedroomed semi of an empty Wrekin Housing Trust property in less than two minutes.

Three volunteers were also plucked from the crowd to demonstrate how difficult it was to get downstairs in a house full of smoke.

Police and ambulance crews also arrived to demonstrate their roles in a house fire.

Natasha Burns, 27, from Donnington, said the demonstration was an eye-opener.

She said: “I thought it was brilliant. I have one child and it was good to show how quickly smoke can get through the house, I never thought it could spread that quickly.”

During the reconstruction one of the volunteers, 22-year-old Becky Binding from Wellington, said she now understood how people could be overwhelmed by the smoke.

Ian Leigh, watch manager at Wellington Fire Station, said: “It all went very well and we are very pleased with the response from the local people. I think we were able to put across the dangers of a fire and the importance of having a working smoke alarm and of things like closing doors at night-time.”

Free home safety checks are offered by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Call (01743) 260298 or visit www.shropshire fire.gov.uk