Suffolk firefighters are warning people over the dangers of removing smoke alarms after a family had a narrow escape when a blaze broke out in a bedroom today.

Fire fighters were scrambled to Church Street, Wangford, near Southwold, at 12:39am after a mattress had caught alight.

Although the fire was small but dense smoke resulted in the occupiers of the house – a mother and her two sons – being taken to hospital.

The mother passed out due to smoke inhalation after raising the alarm. The fire was stopped by 1.27am.

Firefighters from Southwold and Wrentham are still investigating the cause of the fire, but said it was not suspicious.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: 'They are very lucky people. The smoke alarm had been removed.

'Without a fire alarm it is just pure luck that the mother woke up. This incident could have been fatal.

'We cannot stress enough the importance of having properly fitted and working smoke alarms in private dwellings.

'We would also like to remind members of the public to ensure that all smoking materials are always fully extinguished as a night time routine.'

It is suspected the cause of the fire was a lit object, such as a match or cigarette, that had not been put out.