Slow-burning fire discovered just in time

A couple in Princes Street, Douglas had a lucky escape, after waking to find their lounge smoke-logged.

Fire crews, called out just before 11am on Monday, used thermal imaging cameras to trace the origin of the smoke to floorboards smouldering in the room. A hole was cut through the floor and a water spray was used to extinguish burning material and the joists beneath the floor.

Officers say it was lucky the fire was discovered when it was, as it had been burning slowly for some time and had almost completely burned through the joists and floorboards.

The householders were due to leave the Island that afternoon to go on holiday, and the incident could have been far worse if they had gone with the fire undiscovered

It had been caused by hot embers from a coal fire falling through a cracked hearth, setting fire to a joist and electrical cables under the floor.

The Fire and Rescue Service says the incident underlines yet again the importance of having a working smoke alarm in your house.