Widnes mum's plea for help after fuse box ignites fire in home

Kelly Burns told the Runcorn and Widnes World about the terrifying moment her son called her last Thursday to say their had been a loud 'boom' and that their home was on fire.

The mum-of-one has lived in the Keble Street property, owned by Halton Housing, for the last three years.

"We got up like a normal day, everything was fine," she said. "I went out with my friend and my son rang me and said 'the house is on fire'.

"I came down to see smoke pouring out of the house. He said a switch on the fuse box had flipped so he flipped it back and everything went boom and started the fire.

The kitchen, bathroom and down stairs have been damaged by the smoke (Image: Supplied)

"It started in the kitchen. He grabbed the dog and ran out of the house."

Kelly's 20-year-old son rang Cheshire Fire Service and two fire crews attended the blaze at 1.32pm.

A spokesperson for CFS said firefighters wearing breathing apparatus 'used a hose reel jet to extinguish a fire in a kitchen' at the property.

They added: "A thermal imaging camera was used to check for hotspots throughout the property and those neighbouring it.

"A high-pressure fan was then used to clear smoke from the premises."

Kelly stated that in the aftermath, smoke damage was mainly visible in the kitchen, however much of the rest of the downstairs is waterlogged due to the hoses used to extinguish the flames.

Widnes house fire was started by a flipped fuse box switch (Image: Supplied)

Cheshire Fire Service contacted Halton Housing for the tenant and a representative then came to the property to inform Kelly that they had booked her to stay in a local Travel Lodge temporarily until other accommodation could be found.

"We can't cook in the room and I am having to pay for me and my son's food in the meantime.

"I am drained from it all. I just need somewhere I can stay with my son, it is the not knowing."

Kelly stated that she now has all her belongings in the same Travel Lodge room she is living in with her son and dog.

She has started a Go Fund Me page to help support her through the difficult time.

"We have lost everything, clothes, coats, everything and now we have the added cost of living out of a hotel.

"Any help would be appreciated, I feel so bad doing this but have zero choice."

To donate to the funding page, visit the link here.