A FAMILY have lost their home and their pet dog after a devastating fire in Walkden.

The blaze happened last night at around 11.30pm at a semi-detached property in Lakeside Avenue.

A 56-year-old man was asleep in bed with his 54-year-old wife when their 23-year-old son returned home from work and alerted them of the fire.

The man said: "I dangled out of the back bedroom window and dropped to the ground. My wife followed suit but, although I caught her, she broke both of her heels."

The devastated man explained how the family's seven-year old labrador, Pluto, was deaf and was asleep on the landing.

He said: "My wife grabbed him but he panicked and ran back into the smoke." 

The family all suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation and the man's wife was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment for her injured feet.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Farnworth Community Fire Station watch manager Steve Coote said: “It was an intense fire that completely burned out the house.

Mr Coote said: “There was no working smoke alarm at the property. We would urge people to install smoke alarms in their homes and check them regularly to ensure they are working.

“We will be in the Walkden area next week and are happy to give out and install free smoke detectors. Alternately, people can phone 0800 555 815 and arrange a safe and well visit from the fire service."