A MOTHER has spoken of how she fledd her smoke-filled flat after a fire broke out in the store room of a bookmakers beneath her home in Warndon, Worcester.

As we reported yesterday, two fire engines were called to William Hill in Cranham Drive at 9.45pm on Monday after smoke was seen coming out of the building.

It is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Ella Nolan, aged 40, was having something to eat with her daughter when they smelled smoke.

They saw it come through an electrical cupboard and left the building.

She said: “I thought something was on fire in the kitchen but I couldn’t find where it was coming from. It was like rubber burning.

“When we were outside, you could just see the smoke was covering everywhere. It all seemed quite worrying, but at least everybody is all right.

"It was a good job it wasn’t later when we were all asleep.”

Station commander Daryl Justice said: “Thankfully the fire was noticed in its early stages and crews worked quickly and effectively to bring it under control in less than an hour.”

He praised those living nearby for raising the alarm and for evacuating their homes so swiftly.

A spokesman for William Hill said: “We can only apologise for the disruption caused and we would like to thank them for their vigilance as without them it could have been a whole lot worse.

“We hope to be open in the next few days.”

No one was injured in the blaze, which was put out by about 10.28pm. There was significant smoke damage in the kitchen area of the bookmakers.