A FRIDGE freezer burst into flames in a freak accident in Breightmet.

Firefighters were called to Carron Grove where a suspected electrical fault started the blaze, which spread to a portable television on top of the fridge freezer.

The couple living at the house discovered the fire when a smoke alarm went off. The fridge and television were both destroyed and the kitchen suffered smoke damage.

Sub-officer Graham Banks from Bolton fire station said: "If they had not had smoke alarms and had been asleep this could have had very serious consequences."

"I have never come across a freezer catching fire before, it's quite unusual but like with every electrical appliance there is always the risk of a fault."