Seven escape house fire

Seven escape house fire

The house had only recently been renovated

Seven people have escaped from a house fire in north Devon after a dog raised the alarm.

About 30 firefighters were called out to the incident at a house in Wrafton Road in Braunton.

Three adults and four children were treated for smoke inhalation.

But the family's pets, including the dog which raised the alarm and allowed the family to escape before the fire took hold, died.

Houses evacuated

The fire began in a loft bedroom at about 0200 GMT. A pet dog roused 14-year-old Adam Rack, who then told the rest of the family.

Asleep in the house were Martin and Tricia Rack, who own the Wrafton Stores nearby, their three sons, one daughter and an au-pair, along with their two pet dogs and cat.

Five fire engines and a hydraulic platform from Braunton, Barnstaple, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe attended the scene.

Two neighbouring properties had to be evacuated. The occupants were taken to a local pub.

Village support

Martin Rack said they were glad to be alive, but devastated at the state of their home and the death of their pets.

He said: "We feel annihilated, really. Everybody's distraught. We lost our pets in the fire - but we all survived."

"It was Adam that got everybody up. If it wasn't for Adam, we'd still be in there."

Mr Rack praised the support of villagers who have looked after them since the incident.

The house, which the family only recently renovated, is very badly damaged, but Mr Wrack said that they will now start again.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

The road was closed in both directions by emergency services, but has since been re-opened.