A woman has described the terrifying moment that she realised her home was on fire while she was taking a shower. Panicking Calt? Grimes had to grab her clothes and flee the blaze, which caused an estimated $30,000 damage to the property on Church Street, Hamilton.

Describing how the drama began around 3 p.m on Saturday, a tearful Ms. Grimes told : ?I was in the shower and smelt something. When I got out I saw smoke coming out of the bathroom closet ? it must have been caused by the hot water heater or something.

?The fire started getting bigger so I picked up my cell phone and called 911. They told me to calm down and put some clothes on, because I didn?t have anything on, and get out of the house. It was frightening, and I was shaking.?

Luckily for Ms Grimes, 20, the Fire Department on King Street is located just metres from her home, and the fire-fighters were on the scene within a few minutes and had the fire out a short time later.

Meanwhile her boyfriend, Devon Ennis, 38 who shares the three-bedroom top-floor apartment with her, was out food shopping when he received a frantic call.

?She told me the house was on fire. At first when she called me I thought she was joking but when I ran home I saw the fire truck and all the Police,? he said.

Ms Grimes added: ?He didn?t believe me ? he just thought I wanted some food quick!?

Lt. Wenda Godfey of the Fire Service confirmed that the fire was caused by electrical wiring in the bathroom closet. Three fire trucks were sent to the scene along with seven fire-fighters. A section of Church Street to be closed to traffic until it was dealt with.