A MOTHER who escaped unscathed from a house fire with her four children says she is lucky they are all still alive.

The fire was caused by an unattended candle she was using during the power cut that left thousands across the area without electricity.

Neighbours raised the alarm on Tuesday night when they noticed flames in the living room at her house in Attlee Drive, Temple Hill.

Caroline Adedeji had put down the candle on a chair so she could lock her back door, before blowing it out and going upstairs to look after her children.

But it later emerged the candle had set fire to upholstery on the chair.

Neighbour Jamie Richardson raced round to get the family out.

He said: “The smoke was instense. It was pitch black in there.

“We brought the kids round here, the mother was in hysterics, my brother had closed the kitchen door because the fire was in there.

“The fire brigade said if we hadn’t done that the house would have gone up and we probably wouldn’t have got them out.”

Mrs Adedeji, 38, said: “I saw fire everywhere.

“I was very worried about my children’s safety.

“It was very hot, there was a lot of smoke, I couldn’t breathe.

“I’m very lucky to be alive with the kids. It could have been much worse.”

Her husband Adeniyi Adedeji, who was at work at the time, says his family is now homeless.

The 40-year-old said: “We are devastated.

“If there had been power there would not have been any need for candles.

“We have never used candles before.”

He added: “We have to thank our neighbours, if they weren’t here to spot the fire, maybe everyone would be in heaven now.”

The family has insurance on the house and expects to be living with relatives for the next few weeks.