A FAMILY of four say they are lucky to be alive after being rescued from their burning home by firefighters.

Kay Brown and her three teenage children were rescued by fire crews from their burning house in Laburnam Avenue, Tredegar, at 2.30am on Saturday.

Thick black smoke from the fire had trapped Ms Brown and her 16-year-old twin daughters, Emma and Lucy, in the front bedroom of the house. Ms Brown's son, Lee, 19, had fallen asleep on the settee in the front room after leaving the chip pan on.

Lucy dialled 999 after being woken by a loud bang. This was the sound of a fluorescent light exploding in the kitchen through the heat generated by the fire.

She woke her twin sister and mother and they tried to rescue Lee from downstairs, but were beaten back by dense smoke.

The fire brigade was called, and an operator gave Ms Brown and her daughters fire survival guidance over the phone, and reassured them until firefighters arrived.

All four were brought out of the house by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, just minutes after making the emergency call.

The family were taken to Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital, suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. Ms Brown and her daughters were released later in the morning, and Lee was given oxygen therapy until Saturday evening. They are now praising the emergency services for saving their lives.

Ms Brown, 43, said: "They were marvellous, absolutely great. I can't thank them enough for saving my family. It's just horrendous to think my son was in that room.

"I have visions of trying to rescue him. I haven't been able to sleep, I'm just so upset.

"Our house is ruined. My kitchen and living-room are filled with smoke and all our clothes stink of smoke, we've got nothing to wear. I'm just so glad my family is OK."

Her sister, Kim Dyer, of Scwrfa Road, Tredegar, said: "I could have lost four members of my family if it wasn't for the emergency services - they were just supreme."

Station officer Dave Morris said: "Fortunately, due to the prompt action of the fire and police crews from Tredegar, no lives were lost on this occasion. However, residents are reminded that chip pans, especially if left unattended, cause many fire deaths and serious injuries each year in the South Wales area."

He also asked people to buy and install smoke detectors and to check the batteries in fitted alarms.