Blaze at Holbeach homes 'caused by suspected stray firework' on New Years Eve

A family home and neighbouring house were destroyed after a suspected stray firework ignited a fire on the night of New Years Eve.

Karolyn and Richard Ward had just finished watching the New Years Eve fireworks on TV with their daughter when they saw smoke out of their window.

The fire spread to the house so quickly that they had to escape out their window with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Richard said: "Five minutes later and we would've been in bed."

Karolyn added: "I dread to think what would've happened because we wouldn't have got out. I've never seen a fire spread so quick.

"I'm a wreck. You are just tearful all the time. Our daughter was terrified to go to sleep last night."

There was a lot of wind in the area on the night and the fire service currently believe it is most likely that a stray firework caused the blaze.

It had been the family's home for over a decade and all of their possessions were lost.

Richard said: "I've got nothing left at all. My house is just a complete shell and it's unsafe.

"All of our wedding photos, baby photos, drawings from school... all of that was in the loft and it's all gone."

The fire service left the scene initially at 3am but returned a few hours later when the fire had reignited.

When they first attended the scene they reported minimal damage on the neighbouring house. But by their second visit both houses were severely damaged.

Jayden, who owns the neighbouring house, was away on the night.

He said: "Everything is basically gone... my grandad's ashes and all my photos.

"This was my first home. I got it when I was 20 and I worked hard since I was 16 to save up and managed to get it on my own. I did the kitchen and bathroom all by myself which I had never done before."

The community has rallied together to support Jayden and the Ward family by gifting them hundreds of items.

Separate fundraising pages were also set up to help them rebuild their lives and have already raised thousands of pounds.

Karolyn said: "For this to happen you think how silly are people are people to have been letting off fireworks on such a windy night in a weather warning.

"But then we have had so much donated. My mum's house is full and my in-laws' house is full. We could never thank people enough ever."

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