A FAMILY of seven were all taken to hospital following a fire at their home.

It is believed a knotted extension lead caused the fire in Outram Street, Stockton at about 11.45pm on Friday, May 17.

Two parents and their five children, some of whom were asleep, were alerted to the fire thanks to smoke alarms in the property.

The fire started in the bedroom of a 22-year-old man who was not in the room at the time.

All members of the family managed to get out and were taken to the University Hospital of North Tees by ambulance for precautionary checks.

Stuart Simpson, a watch manager at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said an extension lead in the room was not unravelled when power was put through it. That means the leads can overheat and it is thought that caused the blaze.

There was 100 per cent fire damage to the bedroom and smoke damage to other parts of the upstairs of the property.