A MOTHER has told how her teenage daughter and the girl's friend were lucky to survive a blaze at her home in York.

Jane Dawson, 49, was out of the house, in Tostig Avenue, Acomb, when the fire broke out yesterday at about 6.30pm.

However, her daughter and her daughter's friend, who are both 18, were in the house when the fire started in a small bedroom upstairs, Mrs Dawson said.

Her daughter was in the loft of the house at the time, while the other teenager was in the small bedroom.

The friend screamed and Mrs Dawson's daughter rushed down to the room and pulled her out. She then helped her to safety outside.

Mrs Dawson said the friend sustained burns to her leg, while her daughter suffered smoke inhalation. They were both taken to York Hospital.

"I got a call and I was back within 10 minutes," Mrs Dawson explained.

"When I got here there was smoke coming out of everywhere upstairs. Flames were coming out the little bedroom.

"I was really worried about my daughter and her friend.

"The girls were on the grass over the road. They managed to get themselves out.

"My daughter had to pull her friend out of the little bedroom.

"It could have been fatal to them both.

"They were lucky to survive."

She added: "All of the upstairs has been badly damaged and there is water damage to the downstairs."

Mrs Dawson said she believes the fire was started by a candle.

She is appealing for donations of toiletries after their belongings upstairs were destroyed by the fire.

Anyone who wants to help by donating toiletries can leave them with Mrs Dawson's neighbour, at number 28.

Crews used four breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, lighting and a thermal imaging camera to tackle the blaze.

A fire investigation will take place at the house today.

Mrs Dawson's niece Shelley Allison has set up a Just Giving page to try and raise £500 for her relatives to help them buy essentials. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shelley-allison to make a donation.