A FIRE at a property in Hope broke out after a washing basket was left on top of a cooker hob.

The fire caused severe damage to the kitchen of a house in Hawarden Road and was thought to have started when the twist buttons controlling the cooker were accidentally turned on when the plastic basket was placed on top.

The occupant had left the house before the fire on Sunday evening had developed.

The blaze was discovered by her 14-year-old daughter a few hours later, when she opened the back door to find a wall of smoke.

Her father, who was with her, attempted to pour water on the flames and called North Wales Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 9pm.

He was given oxygen therapy by crews from Wrexham when they arrived at the scene, after suffering slight smoke inhalation.

Andy Robb, fire safety enforcement officer for Wrexham, said: “This incident demonstrates quite clearly how easily fires can accidentally start in the home.

“The people involved were very lucky to have escaped relatively unharmed. This fire could well have had tragic consequences if the occupants had been in bed at the time of the fire.

“There was a working smoke alarm in the house, but it had been placed on the floor in the corner of the landing. Although this did operate eventually, it did not do so until the fire had developed significantly, and the upstairs had become very smoke-logged.

“By this stage, the smoke could easily have affected sleeping occupants, leaving them unconscious while the fire developed.

“North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free smoke alarms as part of the free home fire safety check. To register, call 0800 169 1234 or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk.”