A CRABBS Cross couple were lucky to escape a fire in their flat despite having a smoke detector fitted, according to a firefighter.

Sub officer Paul Johnson, of Redditch fire station, said there were no batteries in the fire alarm and the occupants were only woken after choking on smoke.

And he has urged townsfolk to ensure their smoke alarms are working properly and have batteries in.

The chip pan blaze started in their Unhall Court home in Well Close at 2.43am on Monday while they were asleep.

Sub officer Johnson said: "The two people were very lucky to get out. If they had stayed in there for a few minutes more they could have been overcome and it would have been a much nastier outcome."

The couple were treated by paramedics at the scene and were given help and advice from the fire brigade's victim support unit.

Two fire engines were called to deal with the fire which destroyed 50 per cent of the flat.

Sub officer Johnson added: "A lot of people have had smoke detectors for a few years and sometimes take the batteries out completely because they keep going off every time the toast is burnt. It is really important people check them."