A PENSIONER who was forced to battle through toxic smoke after her crystal ball sparked a house fire believes it was only "incredible timing" that prevented her losing everything.

Margaret Padwick was shocked to see smoke billowing from her semi-detached house as she returned home for lunch after seeing a friend.

Fearing for her beloved Airedale Terrier, nine-and-a-half-year-old Amber, who was luckily locked out of the front room, she rushed into her Hunt Road home.

The 77-year-old said: "I was very shocked. If Amber had of been in the lounge unable to get out she may have died.

"To see your own lounge with flames inside is very frightening. I had to cover my face and go into the room to get my telephone so I could dial 999. There was thick, white, toxic smoke everywhere."

After firefighters extinguished the flames, on Wednesday, they discovered the crystal ball had refracted sunlight onto her curtains, which were seconds away from starting a massive blaze.

The ball was a present from her husband 40 years ago, but Margaret, a grandmother-of-nine, has never believed it held mystical properties.

She said: "I have never used it to read fortunes. It used to reflect the light all around the house. It was quite beautiful."

"After what has happened I just wanted to get rid of the blooming thing. I told the fire brigade to take it away."

Fire watch manager Dave Cooper said: "It was a most unusual incident. The conditions were just right with a low, strong October sun."

Mrs Padwick added: "The funny thing was my friend was asking me to stay to watch Neighbours on TV, but for some reason I didn't want to.

"The fire brigade told me if I hadn't raised the alarm, my house could have gone up in a matter of minutes. So I do feel lucky."