Archive - Wednesday, 9 January 2002


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Hidden chimney sparks house fire

A HIDDEN chimney has been blamed for a house fire which ripped through three bedrooms, wrecking newly opened Christmas presents and part of an irreplaceable record collection.

Partners Jason Watkins and Sam Hughes were at once counting the cost of the blaze but counting their lucky stars that sons Reece Watkins, 2, and Kieren Hughes, 9, escaped.

"It was terrible, seeing so many of their things wrecked by smoke damage but we have to get over it," said Miss Hughes, 31. "The important thing is that we are all all right."

When Jason heard what he thought was their dog Chloe upstairs at 10.50pm on Friday, December 28 he went to investigate - and discovered a fire in the corner of their bedroom.

He whisked Reece out of bed and took Kieren, who was still downstairs, to safety.

For more on this story and more, see this week's Stroud News & Journal