A HOUSE fire which could have seen a family home destroyed was kept at bay after they did the right safety checks before leaving.

Neighbours next door to the property in Colleton Drive, Twyford, smelled smoke and heard fire alarms going off, sparking them to call 999.

Fire crews arrived at the home to find no one was in and had to break down the front door at around 1pm today.

Two firefighters in breathing apparatus searched the home and found a blaze that had all but burned itself out in the bathroom.

After dousing the last of the flames they ventilated the home and boarded up the door where they had to force their entry.

Watch manager Roy Buckland of Wokingham Road fire station said: "We kicked the door in and found the bathroom was on fire but had almost burned itself out by then.

"It was definitely an electrical fire but the good thing was the bathroom door was left shut so all the damage was contained in the one room other than a bit of smoke damage.

"The neighbours also heard the smoke alarm going off."