CHARRED remains of chairs, bedding and stereo equipment stands testament to a Felixstowe family's lucky escape from a fierce house fire.All the inhabitants of the Mill Lane house managed to escape with their lives – but one of the bedrooms remains little but a blackened wreck.

CHARRED remains of chairs, bedding and stereo equipment stands testament to a Felixstowe family's lucky escape from a fierce house fire.

All the inhabitants of the Mill Lane house managed to escape with their lives – but one of the bedrooms remains little but a blackened wreck.

The fire broke out a little before 1am Sunday morning when Susan Ogden, 44, was watching the boxing on television in her bedroom.

Family friend Lyndon Cook, 22, was bringing her a cup of tea when both Mr Cook and Ms Ogden noticed the smell of smoke.

Ms Ogden said: "Lyndon opened the door to have a look and smoke just came billowing out.

"He got me and my 16-year-old daughter Jemma out – and rescued our pet rat and two snakes. Luckily, the dog was in the shed at the time.

"Lyndon then dragged the hose upstairs to try and put the fire out – but the fire was more than a little hose could deal with.

"He ended up suffering from smoke inhalation and his beard and hair were singed."

Firefighters rushed to the scene and had the blaze under control within about 45 minutes. Mr Cook also received oxygen therapy at the scene.

"It was really traumatic and scary – and we have lost everything that was in that room," said Ms Ogden.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it is thought to have been caused by a smouldering cigarette in an ashtray in the bedroom.

An investigation is under way.