A FAMILY who escaped from their burning home after a taxi driver making an early-morning call raised the alarm, have thanked their rescuers. The taxi driver was picking up a neighbour of the Wolfe-Robinson family in Pollicott Close, St Albans, in the earl

A FAMILY who escaped from their burning home after a taxi driver making an early-morning call raised the alarm, have thanked their rescuers.

The taxi driver was picking up a neighbour of the Wolfe-Robinson family in Pollicott Close, St Albans, in the early hours of last Tuesday morning when he spotted the fire in their downstairs cloakroom where a candle had been left alight.

The taxi driver, Terry Kingham from Welwyn Garden City, raised the alarm by ringing the Wolfe-Robinson's doorbell to alert the family of five. His fare, neighbour Mr Kim Miller, fought the blaze with a fire extinguisher and a garden hose.

Two fire appliances from St Albans brought the fire under control while the Wolfe-Robinsons spent the remainder of the night with Mrs Miller.

Due to smoke damage the family are still unable to go back to their home and have moved to a hotel while cleaning and repair work takes place.

The family said: "We would like to thank Mr Kingham and Mr Miller for their brave and prompt action, as well as Mrs Miller or sheltering and caring for us and St Albans fire service for their efficient and timely work.