“The fire had ripped from the back to the front. It was just huge flames that had completely taken over.”
A hero neighbour came to the rescue of a dad and his two daughters who were ‘screaming for help’ after a fire engulfed their home. Emergency services were called to the fire on Laxey Crescent in Leigh, Wigan, at around 6am on Thursday.
The family ‘lost everything they own in a matter of moments’ but were saved from the flames within moments after a neighbour quickly got a ladder to the side of their house and helped the trio out. Another neighbour, Jody Shovelton, has now set up an online fundraiser to help the family whose ‘lives were turned upside down’ just days before Christmas.
Speaking to our sister title, the Manchester Evening News, Jody told of the moment she woke up to ‘screaming’ before the incident quickly unfolded. She said: “I heard lots of shouting at 6am, and at three minutes past I took a picture out of my landing window.
“The fire had ripped from the back to the front. It was just huge flames that had completely taken over.
“It all happened so quick. Within a minute the neighbour across the road had run over with a ladder to save them. It was unbelievable. He got one girl out first, the other jumped and was caught by a neighbour, and then he got the dad out.
“The mum had already gone to work and knew nothing about it. Most of us were out in the street. What woke us up were the screams from the bedroom window.
“It was horrific; the way it went through the house that quickly. It spread so fast.”
Pictures from the scene showed huge flames bursting out of windows and thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Neighbours say the fire started at the back of the house before rapidly spreading and taking hold of the semi-detached home.
Smoke quickly smothered the residential street as distressed neighbours rushed to help. Within a number of hours, Jody received bags of presents and donated clothes, with more than £1,000 donated to help the family-of-four rebuild their lives.
The fire service arrived within a matter of minutes, but the three occupants, two teenage girls and an adult male, had been rescued upon their arrival. Crews remained at the scene for eight hours tackling the flames and making the area safe.
Pictures taken in the aftermath of the fire show how the semi-detached family home was gutted by the fire, with scorched walls, blown out windows and melted window frames. Jody said the family lost most of their belongings, and is now fundraising in a bid to help them just days before Christmas.
She added: “They moved in about three years ago. And when I say they are the perfect neighbours, that is an understatement. They have looked after me and my little girl, and if it was me I know they’d do the same.”
The fundraiser, which has since had almost £2,000 in donations, read: “Our hearts are broken for our next-door neighbours, who recently suffered a devastating house fire. In a matter of moments, they lost their home and everything they own.
“Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, but their lives have been completely turned upside down. They are truly some of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever meet — the type who would drop everything to help anyone in need without hesitation.
“Now, they’re the ones who need help. This fundraiser is to support them as they begin the long process of rebuilding their lives — replacing everyday essentials, clothing, furniture, school items for the kids, and all the things we often take for granted. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference.
“If you’re unable to give, sharing this page would mean the world. Let’s come together and show them the same kindness and generosity they’ve always shown others. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At shortly after 6am on Thursday (December 18) three fire engines from Hindley, Atherton and Leigh fire stations plus an aerial ladder platform from Bolton Central and the enhanced rescue unit from Leigh fire station were called to a fire in a semi-detached property on Laxey Crescent, Leigh.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reels and the short extension ladder to extinguish the fire. Crews were in attendance for around eight hours.”
To view the Gofundme page, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-our-neighbours-after-a-devastating-house-fire.
