A mother and daughter fled to safety as flames ripped through their Black Country home, rising 20ft into the air and lighting up the night sky.

Neighbours were evacuated from their homes amid fears they were also in danger from the blaze.

Crews from Brierley Hill and Cradley Heath stations were called to the end-terrace house in Blackhorse Lane, Brierley Hill, at around 10 o’clock last night.

A woman in her 40s and daughter in her 20s had managed to get out of their home but firefighters feared the blaze would spread to two neighbouring houses and evacuated residents.

Dave Foley, watch commander for Red Watch at Brierley Hill, said: “We could smell burning from the station and when we got there we were greeted with 20ft flames coming out of a bedroom window.

“Luckily both the occupier and her daughter were outside, they were obviously quite upset.

“It took us about 20 minutes to get the fire under control as it was so strong.”