A family lost their home and possessions when an electric scooter battery exploded, setting their house ablaze. Doris and Stephen Currie and their grandson Leon were settling down for the night when the incident occurred.
The three occupants, along with the family dog, ran through the house without any shoes on to escape the fire. The family are currently being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and severe burns.
Emergency services were called to the mid-terraced property in Limekiln Row in Runcorn, Cheshire in the early hours of Sunday morning. The three occupants were found outside when Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service vehicles arrived.
Neighbours had rushed to the aid of Doris, Stephen and Leon, with one person reportedly kicking open the front door allowing for the family to escape the burning building, reports The Liverpool Echo.
Sharon Currie, daughter of Doris and Stephen and mum to Leon, said she was "terrified" and "couldn't think" when she received a call saying her parents' home was on fire. The 46-year-old who also lives in Runcorn said: "I got a call telling me there had been a fire and my parents and son were in a really bad way.
"I just couldn't think - my neighbour drove me to the house but the roads were blocked off by police. When we managed to get through I've never seen so many flashing lights - there were police, fire and ambulances just everywhere."
Doris and Stephen, both in their 60s, and Leon were rushed to hospital after the fire where they still remain now. Sharon said the family could be there for another week while they recover from exposure to the smoke and their burns.
Leon, 26, needs surgery to repair the skin on his hands after he touched a metal door handle during their escape. Mum Sharon said Leon went back to get his grandparents from their bedroom after he heard his "petrified" nan screaming.
She added the family are being kept apart and are only allowed one visitor at a time because of the risk of infection to their burns. After initial fears for the family's 10-year-old dog Roxy they've been given the good news the dog is in a stable condition and is being kept at the vets.
But the family have nothing but the clothes they escaped in after the fire and smoke damage left all their possessions unsalvageable. Sharon said in parts of the house the floor has caved in following the blaze. The family are now waiting to be rehomed.
She said: "My parents are absolutely devastated - especially my poor mum who is just in shock. They're saying they've got nothing left now as they didn't have home insurance.
"They were in that house for 33 years and were part of the community all that time. So many of their memories were made there. They're just lucky they managed to get out - the damage to Leon's bedroom and the hallway it's a miracle they all managed to get out alive."
A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "An investigation into the fire has been carried out jointly by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Cheshire Police. The cause is believed to be accidental ignition."
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