A FAMILY of five were described as lucky to be alive after escaping from their blazing council house early today.

They were coming out of the front door of their home in Bradshaw Road, Chichester, just as the fire brigade arrived.

A woman aged 42, a girl of 11 and three boys aged five, 16 and 18, were all taken to nearby St Richards Hospital for a check-up after breathing in smoke.

The 3.45am drama took place on a council estate where the majority of the houses are boarded up and waiting to be bulldozed as part of a multi-million- pound redevelopment.

A spokesman for Chichester Fire Station's Blue Watch said: "The family were just coming out of the door as we arrived. I don't know if they smelt smoke or the house had a detector but they were very lucky to be around to tell the tale.

"In another two or three minutes there could well have been casualties."

Fire fighters managed to save a guinea pig after the young girl screamed that her pet was still inside the house.

The fire broke out in the living room of the end-of-terrace property and the cause was being investigated today.

The family were believed to be staying with friends.

A neighbour declined to comment but said she did not have to be evacuated.

Bradshaw Road is part of the Orlit Estate, which is gradually being bulldozed to make way for a modern new housing scheme being

carried out by Chichester District Council and a housing association.

Many families have already moved into temporary accommodation until they return to the new homes that are being built.

The estate was originally built shortly after the end of the last war during the rush to provide homes and councillors decided it was cheaper to replace the concrete constructed houses rather than meet heavy maintenance costs.

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