Festive lights start house fire

Mrs Wilmer said she is just glad everyone escaped

Christmas lights have been blamed for a fire which gutted a Derbyshire home.

Fire investigators say the flames were started by an electrical fault at the house on Derby Road in Stanley Village.

Everyone in the house managed to escape unhurt.

The family of five say they have been left with nothing as their insurance policy had not been renewed.

Christmas in caravan

Some of the family's pets were killed in the fire, including a couple of birds, some fish and a snake.

Long-distance lorry driver Malcolm Clough said: "I had dropped my partner off at a Christmas do.

The house was gutted by the fire

"I came back at around 8pm, I turned and looked in the direction of the living room and there was smoke and flames pouring out.

"I ran upstairs as fast as I could and alerted my son to the fire.

"I really can't comprehend what has happened."

Mr Clough said one firefighter told him that the fire was so intense that is burned faster than any he had seen in 30 years.

Malcolm, Jackie and their three children are having to stay in a caravan.

A collection is being made to help the family at the One Stop shop in West Hallam.

Jackie Wilmer said: "Everyone got out, that is the main thing."