Toaster blaze

A FAMILY escaped after a blaze broke out in their kitchen.

The kitchen was only slightly damaged by the fire, but the remainder of the flat was severely smoke damaged.Eight firefighters from South Shields fire station attended but the family had managed to put out the fire before the crews arrived.Firefighters were called to West Stevenson Street, in South Shields, at around 8.35 last night.A Tyne and Wear fire and rescue spokesman said: "The cause of the fire is believed to be a faulted toaster."

A Tyne and Wear fire and rescue spokesman said: "The cause of the fire is believed to be a faulted toaster."