A RADCLIFFE man was treated in hospital after his wife and four children fled a blaze started by an overturned candle on Monday.

Philip Brearley (33) was treated for cuts and burns to his feet and the effects of smoke after dragging a blazing mattress outside his home in Seddons Avenue.

He awoke at 1.30am to discover that a lit candle had fallen over, setting fire to the mattress. He woke two boys and a girl aged between five and eight, sleeping in another bedroom, and his 24-year-old wife Debbie who was on a mattress downstairs with the couples three week-old baby son.

Station Officer Paul Myerscough, of Bury Fire Station, said: "Had he not woken up, the situation could have been disastrous."

Mr Brearley was treated at Fairfield Hospital. Officers put up a smoke alarm which the couple had bought but not unpacked.