A Pimlico couple trying to warm up their bed got a shock when they woke up to find it on fire.

The man and woman were using a charcoal hand warmer to heat the bed as they slept but it is thought to have caused the bedding to catch alight.

Rather than follow London Fire Brigade advice and immediately leave the building, the couple tried to fight the fire before a crew from Lambeth and Chelsea fire stations arrived. It later emerged that the property was not fitted with a smoke alarm.

The incident happened in a block on Gloucester Street in the early hours of Tuesday December 30. Firefighters were on the scene at 3.25am as the couple and their son were making their way out of the block. They were treated for smoke inhalation. Other people living in the flats were advised to remain inside rather than walk through the smoke-filled hall-way.

Fire investigator Owen Neale said the family were fortunate to emerge unscathed. He said: “No smoke alarm, trying to fight the fire themselves and using a charcoal hand warmer next to bedding, so it’s fair to say the residents were lucky to escape without serious injury.

“It’s important that people don’t use items like hand warmers to heat their beds as the bedding can catch fire and out those sleeping at risk. It is also important that everyone has at least smoke alarm on every level of their home. Make sure it’s your new year resolution to check your smoke alarms work.”

Crew had the fire under control at around 4.20am.

In November fire crew were seen practicing rescues from high-rise apartments in Acton.