Vicki Keightley was at home with son Percy and their two dogs when she suddenly noticed smoke in the garden – and then a ‘wall of orange flames’ near the conservatory
A young mum heroically ran into a burning building to save her son following a catastrophic house fire, that claimed the lives of their two family dogs.
Connor Keightley, 29, was at a friend’s house playing video games when he received the dreaded call from his wife Vicki, 28, who was at home with their two year old son Percy.
Vicki first realised something was amiss when their two dogs, Daisy and Layla, started barking downstairs in their Farnworth, Bolton home. Upon looking outside and spotting smoke in the garden, she descended the stairs only to be met with a ‘wall of orange flames’ near the conservatory. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment.
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Despite her best efforts, Vicki, a midwife, was unable to rescue the two beloved dogs due to the intense heat and thick smoke. According to Connor, Vicki had to make the difficult decision to return upstairs to save their son, who was taking a nap at the time.
With a ‘massive plume of black smoke’ rapidly filling their home, Vicki acted swiftly to ensure her child’s safety, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“I’m so grateful for Vicki getting Percy out,” Connor expressed. “There have been moments where we’ve been lying together on the hotel bed, thinking ‘we’ve got each other, we’ve got everything’.”
As several bystanders gathered outside the couple’s home without calling the fire brigade, one ‘hero’ neighbour named Jordan sprang into action to assist. Vicki phoned the fire brigade while Jordan attempted to rescue the dogs, but the intense blaze prevented him from entering the house.
Connor recounted the chilling moment he received the news: “I got a call that nobody wants,” he said. “Vicki said ‘there’s been a massive fire, I’ve got Percy out, but that’s it’.”
Upon returning, Connor was met with fire engines lining his street after the ‘incredible’ fire service swiftly responded to the emergency, and police were also present due to the building’s exploding windows which had ‘sounded like gunshots’.
The fire claimed the lives of Daisy and Layla, whose barking to alert Vicki proved to be their heroic ‘final job’.
Connor expressed: “Vicki can’t stop blaming herself for losing the dogs, but at the end of the day she got herself and our son out, and that’s everything.” He shared the family’s grief, saying: “They were really good girls. Vicki says she is grateful for her boys, but mourning her girls.”
Connor revealed the devastating loss of belongings worth tens of thousands of pounds, including their young son’s cherished early possessions. Since the fire last Wednesday (July 30), the couple have made daily visits to their home to salvage what they can, yet some irreplaceable items have been ‘atomised’ by the ferocity of the fire, according to Connor.
In the wake of the disaster, Connor and Vicki have found solace in their ‘smiley’ son Percy’s resilience, with the little one finding happiness in the few toys he has left. Connor said: “Percy has been amazing. He’s been such a source of strength.
“He’s lost all his toys, he’s just got a bag of whatever we could get from Tesco and Asda, but as far as he’s concerned he’s on holiday, to see the joy he can find has been amazing.”
To help the family rebuild their lives, friend Lucianna Harrison has initiated a GoFundMe campaign. On the fundraising page, Lucianna penned: “These people deserve all the love and support they can get at the moment… These are some of the best people I know.
“They have always been there for me when I’ve been through some of the worst times in my life. Please help me to return the favour and help them get through this.”
The campaign has already amassed over £3,765, with the family expressing immense gratitude for every contribution made.
“It will make all the difference,” Connor said. “Nothing is going to set everything right, nothing is going to replace the things that are irreplaceable, nothing is going to get rid of the memories of that horrible day.Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE”But it is going to soften the blow and mean that at least we can give Percy somewhere comfortable to live and do all that we can to make sure our boy is happy – that is what’s important to us.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service stated: “At 4.45pm on Wednesday, July 30, four fire engines from Farnworth, Bolton Central and Bolton North were called to a house fire on Highfield Drive in Farnworth. The fire affected the conservatory, kitchen and roof space of the house.
“Crews used breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish it, and one person was able to escape prior to crews arriving. Sadly, two dogs were found dead inside the property. Fire crews were in attendance for approximately two-and-a-half hours.”