A 10-YEAR-OLD girl was treated for burns to her leg after her electric blanket overheated a mattress and set it on fire.

Aimee Brothwood, aged 10, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with minor burns to her leg following the fire in the early hours yesterday (Tuesday Nov 6).

But heroine Aimee alerted the rest of her family, including her mother, brother and cousin when the heat from the fire on her leg woke her up. And the plucky girl was well enough to go to school yesterday.

Two fire engines from Blackpool fire station attended the fire at the Wilford Street house at 2.38am. Fire crews said there was a smoke detector fitted at the house but it failed to operate because it was situated on the ground floor.

A Fire Service spokesman said that they advise a minimum of one smoke detector per floor in a house, preferably one in each room.

Electric blankets must be switched off and unplugged when going to bed. And if a blanket is damp never try to dry it out by switching it on.

They also suggest that electric blankets are checked to ensure they are safe especially after summer storage. Council trading standards will advise where this can be carried out.