South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue are urging residents to never leave open fires or wood burners unattended, after one Barnsley resident’s lucky escape.

Firefighters from Barnsley and Royston fire stations were called to the incident on Mary Street, Barugh Green, Barnsley at 2.11pm today.

A woman in her 30s had been stoking a wood burner, but left it unattended for a short time. Within a few minutes, sparks set fire to the living room of the property.

A smoke alarm alerted the woman to the fire and she was able to escape with her dog through the front door of her property.

Firefighters put out the blaze using a hose reel, jet and breathing apparatus but the house was heavily smoke logged and the living room was completely destroyed.

Firefighters left the scene at 3.51pm.