(Image: Matthew Smith)
Devastated family 'lose everything' after stray firework causes huge house fire
by Thomas George · Manchester Evening NewsA family "lost everything" when their home was engulfed by flames after a stray firework landed in their garden. Harrowing photographs show the destruction to the family's home after it went up in flames on Bonfire Night.
Fire crews were called to the scene on Crask Walk in Kirkby, Merseyside, at about 10pm on November 5 and found a row of three terraced houses ablaze. All people living in the properties were outside when firefighters arrived.
The local community has rallied to help the family, who have not been named. Tricia Butler and Matthew Smith, who run Park Brow Pub in Kirkby, with permission from the family, have shared images online of the damage.
READ MORE: Extraordinary scenes as row erupts on quiet suburban street over dog's welfare
Tricia said: "These pictures are absolutely heart breaking and soul destroying."
The interior of the house is completely destroyed while the walls and ceiling are black with smoke, the Liverpool ECHO reports. Remains of burnt furniture can also be seen inside the house, including a leather couch which is completely charred.
The pub landlord and landlady have also set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help the family rebuild their home. On the GoFundMe, which has raised over £4,000 so far, Matthew said: "Tricia and I run a local pub in Kirkby, we are a very close community and all look out to help each other."
(Image: Matthew Smith)
"On Tuesday, November 5, a local family lost everything in their home. [After] a firework landed in their garden and their house caught fire."
"They lost absolutely everything, money can't bring personal items back, but it will help this family purchase some [of the] essentials they will need. Anything with help, this is so sad and right on top of Christmas."
(Image: Matthew Smith)
Videos of the scene at the time, sent by an eyewitness, showed plumes of smoke coming from the back of the houses. Neighbours could be seen watching the incident unfold and firefighters tackling the blaze. A cordon was also in place as emergency services dealt with the incident.
After a full investigation, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service found the cause of the fire was "accidental ignition due to a lit firework coming into contact with combustible materials in the garden".