WINSFORD firefighters have urged people to check their smoke alarms after the neighbour of an elderly couple called them out to a smoke filled house last Thursday afternoon.

Ernest and May Beresford, of Walnut Drive, had left some dry meat on a stove while they were out shopping, but it began to burn and smoke spread quickly around the house.

Next door neighbour Brian Corns heard their smoke alarm going off, saw the house was full of smoke and rang the brigade who arrived in time to prevent any serious damage.

Leading Firefighter Paul Sullivan said: "The quick actions of the next door neighbour saved the house.

"We would like to remind people to keep their smoke alarms maintained and test them on a regular basis, they cannot save lives if they are not working."

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