A family are counting their lucky stars after being just minutes from disaster as toxic fumes seeped through their house when a fire broke out in the bathroom.

Husband and wife Mark and Pam Laraman of Station Road, Whitstable, and their four children were forced to flee their home when a dehumidifier caught alight.

Although the house has several smoke alarms, the family came across the blaze when Mr Laraman investigated why there was no electricity.

When he found the smouldering appliance he chucked a kettle of water on the flames before organising his family to leave the home safely.

Firefighters gave Mr Laraman, a railway conductor, oxygen therapy before he was taken by ambulance crews to Kent and Canterbury Hospital as a precaution.

Mrs Laraman says the incident has led her to improve safety measures in her home as she plans to fit an alarm in every room of her home.

She said: “It was frightening.

“I was trying to tell my husband there was a fire extinguisher in the kitchen but the words wouldn’t come out… it was bizarre.

“I picked up the phone to call the fire brigade and I couldn’t register the power had gone off, so I had to grab my mobile. It was really hard to explain what was happening but the fire brigade were really good and talked us through everything.

“We had our rabbits downstairs and if the door hadn’t been closed we would have lost them.

“I had a lot of laundry out and if the fire had lasted a few minutes longer it could have all gone up in flames.

“We were really lucky, if it was minutes longer it could have been so much worse.

“We do have smoke alarms and they would have saved us eventually but the next day my husband went to B&Q and bought four more.

“If we had one in the utility room we would have known straight away. I want one fitted in every room.”

Watch manager Richard Judge issued a warning about careful use of electrical appliances following the incident.

He said: “The unit was mainly plastic; once the bathroom door was opened it allowed thick, black smoke to escape, filling the rest of the ground floor with fire smoke, which is extremely toxic.

“Please don’t underestimate its effects: it reduces visibility, can make you confused and just three breaths can cause unconsciousness, reducing your chances of escape.

“We don’t go into house fires without a range of specialist protective equipment, it’s crucial for our safety.

“Please don’t take chances with your life, if a fire starts, get out and leave the firefighting to us.”

For free safety advice call Kent Fire and Rescue on 0800 9237000.