A FAMILY have had to abandon their home after a fire ripped through the house destroying most of their possessions.

Christine and Kevin Clarke escaped through the front door of their home on Buchanan Street, Chorley, as fire took hold of the entire first floor.

The blaze started after a candle was left to burn unattended in a bedroom.

Luckily their 10-year-old son Dominic, who attends Duke Street Primary School, was staying with a friend at the time.

Christine, who has three other children who do not live at the address, said: "It is a nightmare. Upstairs is like a set from a horror show.

"I have lost everything. Clothes can be replaced, but things like photographs of my children can never be replaced.

"I cannot think of anything worse that could happen. We are never coming back to this place."

Christine had left a candle burning in the bedroom after she thought Kevin was going upstairs to watch TV.

Instead he went into a back room to play on the computer.

Christine said: "I was downstairs and I heard a wooshing sound and glass smashing.

"I thought Kevin was in there and shouted his name. We met each other on the stairs and ran out of the front door."

After spending a night sleeping on the lounge floor the family are to be rehoused by their housing association. Des Rigg, Chorley fire safety officer, has warned people of the dangers of using candles.

He said: "Candles are popular but they are a fire risk -- especially 'tea light' candles which have a metal base.

"They should not be left on top of televisions as it is not unknown for them to melt through."

"People should also not leave candles unattended as they can be affected by draughts and make curtains and drapes catch fire."