FIREFIGHTERS said two Taunton neighbouring families were lucky to be alive after a fire ripped through their homes, the County Gazette reported in August 2014.

The devastation at two properties in Higher Comeytrowe could have been even worse had one of the occupants not discovered the fire after going for an early morning cuppa.

Both families, including two young children, escaped unharmed, but one of the homes was completely destroyed and the other badly damaged.

Adrian Wollaston, Incident Commander from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It was very fortunate that the occupants of both properties got out when they did.

“If the female hadn’t gone down to make a cup of tea they might not have got out when they did.”

Oliver James, whose parents’ home was destroyed in the fire, said: “It was awful ... no-one really knows what happened.

“All I know is that when I got there at 3.30am the house was nearly gone.

“If my mum had not been awake to make my dad a cup of tea they would never have heard it and for sure they wouldn’t be here now.

“I have been running around collecting things for them.

“My family and I want to thank everyone for their help and support, especially my sister, Anna, and everyone on Facebook.

“It’s amazing how everyone has pulled together and has supported my family through this.”

Simon McAdam, lived in the other home with his wife and two young children, said: “The fire crews and Red Cross have been amazing.

“They were out here straightaway.

“We all got out safe, which is the main thing.”

When firefighters arrived, the roof of one of the homes was well alight.

Commander Wollaston added: “The lane is very narrow and we were very lucky that there is a nearby field where we could park all of the appliances, but we still had a way to get the equipment down.

“The crews had a very difficult job but did very well to control it.”