A YOUNG family has been left devastated after a fire ripped through a children's bedroom destroying all their possessions including their Christmas presents.
The fire broke out just after 11pm last night, when the family are believed to have gone to stay with relatives after power cut.
Now friends and family have appealed for children's clothes and donations for the youngsters affected.
It was only when they came home that the family realised a fire had broken out in the property on Wigan Road, Westhoughton.
Fire crews say the blaze which destroyed the bedroom was caused by an electrical fault.
Anthony Conway, the brother-in-law, has set up a crowdfunding page which has already raised £690 since being set up this morning.
He said: "Local young family have pretty much lost everything in an electrical fire last night, the house is unlivable.
"So late last night less than a month until Christmas a fire started in the children's bedroom at the family home in Westhoughton caused by an electrical issue.
"Kassie and her kids have lost everything upstairs from clothes to kids' toys, cots and beds. Even all the Christmas presents she had bought have been ruined. They have four daughters all of school ages and a 19-month-old little boy who are all gutted to say the least.
"Luckily and thank God but nobody was home when it started, a couple of hours later would have been a whole different ball game, doesn't even bare to think about really.
"The dog was downstairs but got out unharmed and is completely safe.
"Any help at all no matter how small will go such a long way at this time of year to replacing some of what's lost, what ever wasn't taken by flames has been completely smoke damaged."
The first-floor bedroom of the home was engulfed in flames after the blaze broke out last night.
Three crews from Bolton Central, Atherton and Hindley were called to the fire at about 11.15pm.
An inspection of the scene revealed the fire had been caused by an overloaded extension lead. Crews also provided reassurance to the occupants of the house and at neighbouring properties.
The Fire services' head of prevention, Area Manager Damian O’Rourke, said: "Fortunately at this incident, no one was hurt and firefighters limited the damage to the first floor of the property, but it could have been far worse."
Crews used one hose reel, two breathing apparatus and a positive pressure ventilation fan to tackle the blaze.
Firefighters remained at the scene until 2.30am.
Crews have provided reassurance and notified the Red Cross charity to help the family, who visited the same night.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has issued a warning about using electrical devices safely.
Mr O'Rourke said: “Plugging too many appliances into one socket can cause overheating which can then lead to a fire, so please avoid doing this and only ever use one extension lead per socket.
“By taking just a few simple measures, you can significantly reduce the chance of an electrical fire in your home, ensuring you and your family are kept safe."
The girls are aged 15, 11, eight and six and appeal for clothes sized 8-10 for the women and older girls, and aged 9-10, 8-9 and 2-3.
They can be dropped off at The Hub, Central Drive, Westhoughton or Washacre Primary School.
To make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/yates-conwayfire
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE:
The fire service has also urged people to think carefully about the electrical products they are purchasing during Black Friday sales tomorrow to make sure they keep safe.
An inspection of the scene revealed the fire had been caused by an overloaded extension lead. Crews also provided reassurance to the occupants of the house and at neighbouring properties.
Our advice to residents is:
• Never overload plug sockets or extension leads
• Keep extension leads to one per socket
• Keep combustible materials away from sources of heat
• Turn electrical products off at the socket when they are not being used
• Check wires and cables for fraying regularly
Advice includes:
• Buy from a retailer you trust
• Check that your electrical product has not been recalled in the last six years by going to www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/recall
• Buy your electrical chargers from a reputable source
• Register your appliance at www.registermyappliance.org.uk so you are the first to know if any safety repairs or recalls
• Carry out a visual check of your electrical products
Area Manager O’Rourke continued: “We all love a bargain, but your family’s safety is not a price worth paying to save a few pounds. Please always buy your electrical products from a reputable retailer, fake and substandard products bought online can be extremely dangerous, as they can contain faulty parts that can overheat and catch fire. Products like this may look good from the outside, but they lack the essential safety components inside.
“Remember, if a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
If an electrical fire does start in your home Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.
Never use water on an electrical fire and only pull the plug out or switch the power off if it is safe to do so.
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