A VIGILANT taxi driver making an early-morning call saved a family when he spotted that their home was on fire and raised the alarm. The taxi driver was making the call in Pollicott Close, St Albans, at around 4am this morning (Tuesday) when he noticed th

A VIGILANT taxi driver making an early-morning call saved a family when he spotted that their home was on fire and raised the alarm.

The taxi driver was making the call in Pollicott Close, St Albans, at around 4am this morning (Tuesday) when he noticed the blaze at another house. He raised the alarm and two fire crews attended. The firefighters used breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

Crew Commander Darren Basil said: "The home was not fitted with a fire alarm. If it hadn't been for the taxi driver who knows what would have happened?"

The fire began in the downstairs cloakroom and is believed to be caused by candles which were left alight after everyone went to bed. No one was injured.

Mr Basil added:: "This case highlights not only the importance of extinguishing candles properly but also the vital importance of having a working fire alarm. The fire service provides free home fire-safety checks and we are happy to install a smoke alarm if necessary.