An early morning house fire at Holmesville has prompted a warning from NSW Fire and Rescue about the use of old and damaged electric blankets.
Fire crews were called to the vinyl cladding and tile home at the corner of George and Margaret Streets just after 5am, arriving to find a front bedroom of the house well alight.
Newcastle Fire Command says the occupants managed to escape without injury.
It's taken four firefighters in breathing apparatus with two lines of hose just over half an hour to douse the flames, which left the bedroom badly damaged and the rest of the house affected by heat and smoke.
It's believed a faulty electric blanket is to blame for the fire.
"People should check their electrical appliances, particularly their electric blankets and their smoke alarms and ensure everything is in good condition", Fire and Rescue Inspector Peter Nyes said.
