A MUM has died in a house fire - two years after narrowly escaping a blaze when she lived in Hartford.

Lorraine McLarnon Buckley, her five-month-old son Peter and eight-year-old stepdaughter Cheryl died after their bungalow near Chester caught fire last Thursday.

Lorraine was the eldest daughter of businessman Jim and Cath McLarnon, who still live in Hartford.

In January 1997, Lorraine and her two children from a previous marriage were rescued by a neighbour when their home on Northwich Road caught fire.

She was woken by a smoke alarm, went to investigate and found the kitchen ablaze.

The family managed to climb from a first floor window onto the garage roof and threw stones to alert next door neighbours Brian and Cheryl Tripp.

The Tripps fetched a ladder and rescued nine-year-old Hollie, 12-year-old Adam and Lorraine.

The family were taken to Leighton Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. Lorraine's eyes were also burnt as she tried in vain to save the family's poodle Jazz.

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