A WOMAN and three children escaped unharmed after a fire started in their Amersham flat in the early hours this morning.

The flat was severely damaged by fire caused by a candle that had been left too close to curtains.

Amersham Fire Service received a call at 2.11am to attend the second floor flat in Park Place.

Watch manager Dave Miller said the smoke alarm and mother's quick thinking saved the family: "She was woken up by the smoke alarm and immediately took the children out of the flat and called the fire brigade, which was absolutely the right thing to do."

One fire crew from Amersham and one from Chesham attended. It took them around 20 minutes to put out.

Three adjoining flats were evacuated as a precaution while it was being dealt with.

Four cats were also rescued suffering from minor smoke inhalation but were not hurt.