FIRE chiefs have issued a warning after fire ripped through a Bishopstoke house at high speed.

Owner Anne Garrard and her partner, who are both in their 30s, had a miraculous escape after forgetting about a chip pan.

The couple smelt smoke and - with four rescued dogs - got out just before their home turned into an inferno.

The fire tore through the semi in Fair Oak Road with incredible speed because the couple had removed all ground floor doors to create an open plan effect.

Starting in the kitchen, the fire quickly swept into all of the ground floor rooms before engulfing the entire house.

Now fire chiefs are warning people against removing doors which could be vital fire stops giving crucial extra minutes to evacuate a property.

A fire service spokesman said: "They were lucky to get out because the house had no fire stops. They did not have long to escape because there were no interior doors and it turned into a chimney. The house was destroyed.

"Before you go to bed make sure all the interior doors are shut, check plugs and make sure cookers are not on. It is a routine that could save your life."

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I don't know why they took out all of the doors. They didn't really speak to us very much.

"They also bricked up the front door and had a one-way mirror at the back door, so that they could see who was calling but the caller could not see them."