A SMOKE alarm saved a Crewe woman’s life and home when arsonists torched an empty shop next door to her property.

Margaret Tomkinson was asleep in bed at her West Street house on Friday, October 24, when she heard the alarm just after 1.30am.

When she went to investigate she found a blaze in the disused shop next door and dialled 999.

Flames were coming from the front of the building when fire crews arrived.

They wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reels to bring the blaze under control and stop it spreading into the empty flat above and into Mrs Tomkinson’s roof space.

Mrs Tomkinson, who has lived in the property for more than 50 years, said: “When I heard the smoke alarm I thought I was dreaming.

“It wasn’t until I went on to the landing and saw all the smoke that I realised there was a fire somewhere. As I was ringing 999, someone was banging on my front door to get me out.

“I do check the alarm regularly and use the point of a long umbrella to do it. I’m just glad I did now.”

Crewe station manager Paul Binyon attended the incident.

He said: “The fact that Mrs Tomkinson had a working smoke alarm almost certainly prevented a more serious incident.

“The way the terrace of properties was built meant that if the fire had got to the upstairs flat it would have spread very quickly to the neighbouring properties.

“Thankfully Mrs Tomkinson raised the alarm early and only suffered smoke damage in her home.”

The smoke alarm was fitted by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service staff a few years ago during a routine visit as part of a home safety assessment.

The service advises residents to check their smoke alarm once a month by pressing the test button.

Alarms should be vacuumed and the casing wiped once a year to make sure dust is not blocking the sensor chamber.

If it is mains-powered, switch it off before performing the annual maintenance.

Firefighters are also appealing for any information about who started the fire.

Anyone who can help should ring Cheshire Police on 101 using the incident number 44 for October 24 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.