Family 'lose everything' after fire destroys home

A woman whose home was destroyed in a fire said she and her family face an uncertain future as they have nowhere else to go.

The fire, which was believed to have been caused by an exploding vape, started at a property on Grey Street in Gainsborough on Friday afternoon before spreading to three other homes.

Sheila Simmons, who lives in one of the affected houses, said the uncertainty was "horrible".

"We're in a Travelodge and I don't know what's going to happen," she added.

"Our roof is completely gone, it's all collapsed in - basically all the families have lost everything," she said.

"We've lost everything - everything that we have recently bought it's just gone."

The 45-year-old said she now feared the house would not be rebuilt and they would have to "start all over again".

"That is the bit I'm not looking forward to because I love my home," she added.

However, talking about the response from the local community, Mrs Simmons said everyone had rallied round to help.

"On the day [of the fire], all my daughter was stood in was a nightie, and I had a pair of shorts and a top.

"Since then, we've now got clothing and toiletries - the support has been amazing," she said.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said three of the homes had been left uninhabitable, but said nobody had been injured.

The service said an investigation would examine why the vape exploded.

Offering general advice to residents, Helen Tooley, group manager at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: "If you are using vapes or any electronic equipment that needs charging, please use the proper chargers. Make sure it's in a safe place. Unplug it if you're not in the room."

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