THE Westhoughton community is rallying round to help get a mother and her son back on their feet following a serious fire at their home.

The woman and her son, who is understood to be aged 20, escaped from the fire after being alerted by a smoke alarm. They were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Fire crews said a discarded cigarette was the cause of the fire which broke out in the kitchen of the semi-detached property in Oxlea Grove.

Since the fire, residents and businesses have donated dozens of items to support the family, who are due to be put up in temporary accommodation by Bolton At Home.

The appeal has been coordinated by Joanne Welsby, who lives on the Hindley estate in Westhoughton.

Mrs Welsby said: "It has been quite overwhelming to see the way people have come around the family. Everyone has rallied round them.

"They would like to thank everybody for being so kind."

An appeal was made for donations of household items, including bedding, mugs, lamps, towels, wardrobes and beds.

Drop-off points have been established at three key sites: smaller items can be taken to Lloyds Bank in Market Street, and The Beauty Parlour of Westhoughton, in School Street. Larger items can be dropped off at BL5 Self Store in James Street.

Westhoughton Town Councillor Bernadette Eckersley-Fallon, said: "I was with the family on Thursday night, helping them to salvage what was left of their belongings. It was awful. They have lost everything.

"Thankfully they did not sustain any injuries.

"We are now doing all that we can to get this family back on their feet. We need help to get them everything they need to run a home."

Bolton Cllr Anna-Marie Watters said: "Please let's all get behind this family.

"We have been collecting items for the family at the Hub, including furniture, bedding, you name it.

"The generosity of everyone has been amazing."

A total of four fire crews were called to the property at about 1am on Wednesday, November 14.

Mick Callan, Watch Manager at Hindley Fire Station, said: "There was quite a lot of smoke issuing from the ground floor when we arrived.

"There was smoke damage throughout the property and 25 per cent of the kitchen was damaged by fire.

"A discarded cigarette had started the fire. Occupants were alerted by smoke alarms, which gave them early warning that there was an emergency and allowed them to get out safely.

"There could have been severe consequences for them without those working smoke alarms."

Crews used breathing apparatus to enter the house and extinguish the fire. They used a fan to remove the smoke from the remainder of the house. They remained at the scene for one hour.