A FAMILY whose garage was destroyed by fire in Charfield has thanked the fire service for their rapid response.

Firefighters were called to Karen Joynson's family home on Woodlands Road shortly before 5am last Thursday.

She said: "My family and I would like to say a huge thank you.

"The fire started in our garage and then began to spread to our precious home. If it was not for the fire crews' prompt response it could have been a complete loss of our family home.

"Our garage has a large electric transformer next to it, so we were terrified that was going to get engulfed in the flames.

"We are so lucky to have these brave men and women protecting families like ours. It was truly terrifying with several explosions.

"My poor husband had spent six years restoring his collectible Peugeot 205 GTI and was due to take it to a track day.

"He is devastated that all those hours of work are now a charred wreck."