A couple and their daughter were lucky to escape serious injury this evening following a fierce blaze at their home in Sta Venera.

Informed sources said that even as the fire spread the three had continued to fight it in an attempt to rescue some pets in the washroom.

They eventually made it outside and were given assistance by rescuers from the Civil Protection Department and paramedics.

The sources said it appeared the fire had spread quickly. An eyewitness said he could see tongues of fire in the washroom.

The pets, however, also survived.

Neighbours were evacuated as a precaution during the fire-fighting operation.