A quick-thinking neighbour is being hailed a hero after rescuing a father and his two teenage daughters from their burning home in Wigan moments before it was completely engulfed by flames.
A Rapid and Terrifying Blaze
The horrific fire broke out at the semi-detached property on Laxey Crescent, Leigh, at around 6am on Thursday, December 18. Neighbours reported being woken by the sound of screams as the family, trapped inside, cried for help.
Jody Shovelton, a local resident, described the speed of the incident to the Manchester Evening News. "It all happened so quick," she said. "Within a minute the neighbour across the road had run over with a ladder to save them. It was unbelievable."
The Dramatic Ladder Rescue
The brave neighbour acted without hesitation. Using the ladder, he managed to get one of the teenage girls to safety first. The second girl jumped from the property and was caught by another neighbour, before the hero returned to help the father escape.
Dramatic images from the scene showed huge plumes of black smoke and fierce red flames tearing through the house. The fire, which reportedly started at the rear of the building, spread with alarming speed.
Eight-Hour Battle and Total Loss
Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended for approximately eight hours to fully extinguish the blaze. Crews from Hindley, Atherton and Leigh fire stations responded, supported by an aerial ladder platform from Bolton Central and an enhanced rescue unit.
A spokesperson confirmed that firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reels and a short extension ladder to tackle the fire. After the flames were out, the severity of the damage was clear: windows were blown out and the interior was blackened. The family lost all of their possessions in the fire just a week before Christmas.
Community Rallies with Fundraiser
In the aftermath, the community has shown tremendous support. Next-door neighbours set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised over £13,268 to help the family rebuild their lives.
The fundraiser describes the affected family as "some of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever meet." The money will be vital in helping them replace everyday essentials, clothing, furniture, and school items for the children as they face the long process of recovery.
