Menu

Penwortham family home left fire-ravaged as neighbours tell of explosions

Posted on - 28th October, 2016 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Penwortham, Preston News
The family home in Bramble Court may need to be demolished Pic: Amanda Leadley

The family home in Bramble Court may need to be demolished Pic: Amanda Leadley

A Penwortham family had a lucky escape when their smoke alarm got them out of bed while they conservatory was ablaze.

Advertisement

Neighbours have told of how they were awoken by explosions coming from the family home in Bramble Court shortly before 4am on Friday (28 October).

Advertisements
Preston Weekender advert

The house, off Kingsfold Drive, has been left ravaged by the fire which spread quickly from the conservatory.

Gavin Seed, 37, who lives on the court said he awoke thinking someone was breaking into cars on his drive.

He said: “I heard this noise and it sounded like shattered glass. I am looking after my mate’s car so I was terrified it was someone pinching it.

Advertisements

“So I ran to the window and I couldn’t believe what I saw. There was smoke everywhere. So I shouted to my wife and legged it down the stairs to get round there.

“I came charging round the corner and the fire brigade were already there, and the conservatory it was just flames I could see. I was so worried as the family they have kids and I thought they might have still been asleep in the front.”

The family may need to demolish the house as the damage is described as ‘severe’.

Mr Seed, who has lived in Bramble Court for four years, was full of praise for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

He said: “When I spoke to the two guys there they were great. They had been in and the flames were just fierce.

“They got the aerial ladder there in the end and that was the only way to put it out.

Advertisements
barton manor gym

“Whatever started it was definitely in the conservatory.

“My little lad and I made the firefighters their brews this morning. They were great with him and told him ‘it was the best brew they had ever had’.”

Read more: Pictures show what firefighters faced tackling Penwortham house fire

Other neighbours have told how they brought the family clothes and food, and said they could still hear the smoke alarm going at 11am this morning – seven hours after the fire started.

The fire service said they were still damping down the scene and at this stage there was no confirmation on how the fire started.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “A working smoke alarm is obviously a potential lifesaver. It gives the early warning you need to get out and without that survival is always going to be in the balance, regardless of the speed and efficiency of the firefighters coming to the rescue.”

Share
Advertisements
caritas fostering advert
Preston in pictures 24.03.24 - Penwortham [Church of St Mary] 240323JPGDSC_7658 - Bus stationDSC_7676 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7681 - former Post Office, cenotaph and Town HallDSC_7682 - Central Methodist church, Lune StreetDSC_7668 - Fish (aka Box) MarketDSC_7672 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7674 - Miller Arcade View more Advertisement Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

    Advertisements
Advertisement Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails