Mum and two children escape through window

A mother and her two young children climbed through a window to escape as a blaze swept through part of their Telford home today.

Lisa Glen, 28, tried to douse the flames with a bucket of water after hearing a bang and going outside to find a wooden playhouse in the back garden on fire.

The mother-of-three ran back inside and grabbed two of her children, Sharnia, three, and Jordan, nine, before getting out of the end terrace home in Penistone Close, Donnington, and waiting for the fire service to arrive shortly after 8am.

The flames from the playhouse spread to two sheds and the Wrekin Housing Trust home, destroying her daughter's first floor bedroom and a ground floor room. The rest of the property was damaged by smoke.

A neighbouring property had to be evacuated. No-one was injured in the incident.

Ten firefighters from Wellington and Telford Central Fire Stations tackled the blaze. A crew remained on scene until after 1pm to check for any hotspots.

Aubrey Thomas, watch manager, said: "It is under investigation but it's believed to be accidental."

Michelle Davies, Miss Glen's sister, of nearby Barn Close, said: "She just heard a bang in the back garden and went out and the wooden playhouse was on fire. She tried to put it out with a bucket of water and it tore into flames. She phoned the fire brigade.

"She grabbed the children but couldn't find her front door key so got out through the dining room window at the front."

She said her sister was grateful for the efforts of the fire crew.