GAZETTE & HERALD: A FIRE ravaged a second floor bedroom at a farm near Calne while the homeowner relaxed in the bath on Sunday.

Wiltshire Fire Brigade have said if it hadn't been for a fire alarm at Lower Littlecott Farm in Goatacre Lane, the blaze could have spread.

It took four hours for 17 firefighters and officers to control the inferno and carry out salvage work on the 15 by eight metre room.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: "The second floor room was severely damaged and the remainder of the second floor was smoke logged."

An electric fan heater that was placed on a sideboard above floor level started the fire when it fell off.

The homeowner heard a bang from the room and opened the door but she immediately shut it and got out of the premises when she saw the fire.

There were three fire alarms in the home, one on each floor of the building that activated and alerted the homeowners.

Two fire crews attended from Chippenham and one went from Calne after the alarm was raised at 1.55pm. An aerial appliance from Swindon was also used.

Four breathing apparatus, one hose reel and a thermal imaging camera were used by the firefighters.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "People should be testing their smoke alarms once a week at least.

"This time of year is a good time to change the battery, even if it doesn't need it. Everyone should make it their priority as it's the beginning of the year.''