A FAMILY escaped unhurt when a fierce blaze swept through their home.

A father and three boys managed to get out of their home on Rawthorpe Terrace, Rawthorpe, as flames gutted the entire downstairs at 1.45am today.

Huddersfield firefighters arrived to find the entire ground floor well alight and the fire had spread up the stairs to the first floor landing.

Station Officer Alvin Crisp, of Huddersfield fire station, said: "It was a very fierce, extensive fire that had taken a firm hold in the front room and rear living-room/kitchen.

"When we first arrived it was not clear everyone was out so we sent in firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to search.

"The entire upstairs was also badly damaged by the heat and smoke."

Several animals were also in the house including dogs and pets in cages, but they were all carried to safety.

A special Red Cross unit was called out to care for the family overnight and help them make arrangements to find somewhere else to live.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated.