SMOKE alarms saved the lives of the occupants of the Punch Bowl pub in Low Bentham when a serious fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday.

Fire appliances from Bentham, Kirkby Lonsdale and Hornby were called out at 2.16am after a report was received of a fire in the front room of the pub.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to bring the fire under control.

They believe the cause of the blaze was an electrical fault on a consumer unit in the kitchen and spread through the ceiling of the living room.

Smoke alarms alerted the two adults and one child who were inside and they were able to get out before firefighters arrived.

The inn has been left badly damaged with 30 per cent fire damage to the kitchen and living room and 75 per cent smoke damage to the rest of the floor.

Police were called to the scene to manage traffic along the road.

John Taylor, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire Service, said: "Smoke alarms are absolutely crucial. They are continually providing an early warning that saves the day."