A WORRALL Hill man says he has been overwhelmed by the support his family has received after a devastating fire at their home.

Mark Dawson said the offers of help following the blaze – which is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault – had been "fantastic".

Firefighters were called to the house at 1.40pm last Thursday (June 12) and were on the scene for some four hours.

The fire destroyed the roof and caused widespread damage to the rest of the house. It also affected the house next door.

He said: "We just want to thank everyone for their support. My phone and Facebook has gone wild with messages.

"Lee Jones, who's a decorator, has offered his services free of charge and I've had builders saying they will do anything they can.

"The support has just been fantastic."

Mr Dawson, who runs a tyre service company, was in the garage at the family home of more than 20 years when he saw smoke coming from the roof. His son, Ryan, was in the front room of the house.

Mr Dawson said: "I'd been in the garage and when I came out there was smoke coming out of the roof.

"After a short time it was flames. I tried to have a go with the hosepipe but it had taken hold. "I had to have treatment from paramedics.

"We'd extended the house.

Mr Dawson and his wife Sharon lost many items of sentimental value such as irreplaceable photos. He said: "We lost a lot of things that were valuable to us such as the first Mother's Day cards and birthday cards.

"You put these things in the loft but when something like this happens they're gone.

"In future I'm going to put things like photos in fire-proof boxes."

The Dawsons' insurance company – who he says has been "fantastic" – is still assessing the cost of the damage and is organising temporary accommodation for the family.