Plastic washing basket left on the hob caused devastating fire in Yate, fire service reveals

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the hob at the house, which was engulfed in flames from the ground floor up to the loft, had been accidentally turned on before the young couple and their baby daughter went out.

The family was called back the terraced house in Edgeworth shortly before 10am after dozens of neighbours spilled onto the street on hearing what was described as an 'almighty bang'.

A fellow resident of Edgeworth, Lynne Smith, said as she ran up the road banging on people's doors warning them to evacuate a fireball came towards her.

"I saw this fire coming towards me," she told the Gazette.

“I have never seen anything like it. The only way I can describe it is it was like something out of the film Backdraft. The house just went, it was terrifying.”

Becky Smith, whose house was destroyed in the blaze, has thanked firfighters who battled to save the property.

In a message on Avon Fire and Rescue Service's Facebook page, she said: "I cannot thank you enough for all the hard work you done trying to save our home yesterday and ensuring everyone was safe.

"No words are enough to say thank you for saving our beloved cats and rabbits.

"What amazing people you all are and all of the people from the ambulance, police and red cross and everyone else that also helped. Thank you again we are so so grateful x"

Five fire engines and a welfare vehicle were called to the scene yesterday morning, as well as police, paramedics and a British Red Cross victim support unit.

The fire reignited several times but was eventually put out at around 1.30pm.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is now highlighting the importance of home fire safety and is offering free home safety checks to anyone in the area. Visit avonfire.gov.uk for further information.

A fundraising campaign to help Becky and her family was launched shortly after news of the fire spread. Go to https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/stace-oakley-1