A LYDNEY dad is thanking his lucky stars after a fire ripped through his home just 10 minutes after his daughter had left with her son.

Wayne Skidmore was outside in his garden shed last Tuesday evening when his neighbour came running around shouting ‘fire!’

He said: “I went out to see what was going on but little did I know it was my roof that was on fire. I went inside to rescue our pet dog, who luckily responded to my calls, and watched in disbelief as the fire burnt the entire roof in 25 minutes.

“I am just so grateful that nobody was inside. My daughter, Charlie, had only left the house 10 minutes before the fire started.”

Mr Skidmore, who has lived in his semi-detached house in Naas Lane for 19 years, added: “The upstairs is non-existent and our next door neighbour’s home is smoke damaged.

“Memories and photos of the kids growing up over the last 24 years were stored in the attic, and have been completely lost. I’m gutted. It’s not known what caused the fire but initial reports suggest it was an electrical fault.”

Work to clear the damage and repair the roof was underway on Friday.

Mr Skidmore said: “We are living with family and friends for now until it is safe to return. The insurance company predict there is a six to eight month wait and that’s only if the work goes as planned.

“I’m just thankful that nobody was seriously injured.”

A spokesperson for Two Rivers Housing said the tenants of the neighbouring house have been provided with emergency accommodation.

They said: “We are liaising with the structural engineer and insurers to arrange for the repairs to be carried out to their home as soon as possible.”