Three Telford homes evacuated after house blaze
A fire which broke out in the early hours gutted the Telford home of a pregnant mother of four and caused neighbours to be evacuated from their houses.
The blaze ripped through the mid-terraced house in Woodrows, Woodside, at about 12.15am today, completely destroying the downstairs and causing substantial smoke damage upstairs.
Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang shortly before the fire took hold. It took 12 firefighters half an hour to put the flames out.
The house was empty at the time as tenant Louise Smith, 32, who is three months pregnant, was on holiday with her children. The family has been told.
Her brother Darrell Brown said the family has lost irreplaceable pictures of their late mother in the blaze.
Next door neighbour Georgina Kilford, 23, a mother-of-two, said she heard "a mighty bang about 12.15am".
"I ran upstairs as my children were in bed and I saw smoke coming out of the house next door. I screamed to my neighbour, Irene, that there was a fire and she called 999. I grabbed my kids and ran outside. The neighbour from the opposite side of Louise's house was outside too and we all waited at the end of the road."
Miss Kilford took her children to her mother's house as neighbours were evacuated for more than three hours while gas and electric checks were completed at the properties.
She said: "It's just horrible. A soon-to-be mother of five is now homeless. The damage is devastating. Louise has been here for two years and had just got the house how she wanted it. We are going to do everything we can for her and her family. She is going to need everything."
Mr Brown, who was at the home today sifting through the wreckage, said: "A friend messaged me to say my sister's house was on fire. I ran straight over here and when I saw flames by the door I just started to cry. I called my sister today to tell her what has happened. She won't come back to here; it will be too difficult for her to see. She broke down in tears on the phone.
"I am just trying to salvage anything I can for her. It is just heartbreaking. Her youngest has a heart condition and my sister has dealt with so much already and now they have lost everything. Electrical items can be replaced but sentimental items are gone forever. Pictures of our late mum and pictures of the kids have been destroyed."
It is not yet known what caused the blaze. Watch manager Tony Druce of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "An investigation is still ongoing but it is believed it may have been caused by a small explosion. The ground floor has been gutted and the patio blown out."
Police have urged anyone with information to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
