Family lose everything in house fire on Prescott Street

Single mum Rebecca Lawton and her three young children will not be able to return home for a year, with a faulty hoverboard charger having sparked a massive blaze at their house in Latchford.

All their furniture, clothes and possessions were destroyed by the fire.

Rebecca said: “Every room in the house is smoke damaged.

“The house is uninhabitable for up to 12 months and we can’t take anything from the house because it’s that badly damaged by the smoke.

“Clothes, the kids’ toys and teddy bears – all of our belongings, we’ve had to leave.”

Rebecca left a hoverboard on charge at the family home on Prescott Street while taking the kids – who are aged between five and nine – on the school run.

Only minutes later, a member of staff at the Environment Agency office called Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service after seeing smoke coming from the property.

It is believed that the fire was caused by a faulty hoverboard charger bought from Amazon only the day before the blaze.

Rebecca, who runs wedding shop Candystripe Couture in Latchford, was having a massage when a neighbour called her to deliver the news.

The 35-year-old added: “We left the house at 8.50am for the school run, and by 9.05am the fire brigade has been called.

“Within 15 minutes, the whole house was smoke damaged.

“It’s quite scary to think what would have happened if we’d been in or if it had happened overnight when we were in bed.

“I was actually having a massage when one of the neighbours rang me and told me the house was on fire – I raced straight there.

“The fire safety officer mentioned the importance of keeping your doors shut because it stops the fire spreading, as the front room was the one room in the house which had the door and that was the least affected – there’s hardly any damage to that room.

“So the main thing to stress is not to leave anything plugged in or charging when you’re not there and to shut your doors.”

Luckily, the family’s hamster and two cats survived the blaze – which was tackled by three fire engines – unscathed.

The children are currently staying with their dad, but all four are soon hoping to find rented accommodation to stay in while repairs are carried out.

And the community has rallied around the family – with more than £1,000 so far donated through a crowdfunding page.

Residents has also given clothes and offered furniture and other essential items in order to help.

Rebecca said: “It’s been so overwhelming – it’s lovely.

“I was sat in bed at 5am this morning and I just teared up, because everyone has been amazing.

“It’s only been 24 hours, but people are donating beds and sofas – I’m getting messages from people I’ve never met asking what they can do.”

Tina Kaminski, whose son is schoolfriends with Rebecca’s youngest daughter, is one of those who has stepped in to help.

The Appleton resident added: “It’s devastating – the house has been obliterated, they’ve lost everything and it’s horrific.

“It’s your worst nightmare.

“We’re all guilty of leaving charges in plugs, and this could have been a lot worse – it doesn’t bear thinking about, this could have been so different.

“Becky is one of the most beautiful people you could ever wish to meet, she’s got a heart of gold and she’s dedicated to those children – she would do anything for anyone.

“She’s worked so hard for everything she’s got, it just doesn’t seem fair.

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“The gestures have been amazing – this is a fantastic school community, everyone is so loving and nurturing.

“It’s amazing how people will rally and help when things do get tough – it’s beautiful how the community has rallied round and supported her.

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Firefighters on the scene