'Everyone has been brilliant' (From Warrington Guardian)

'Everyone has been brilliant'

A DISTRAUGHT young couple who lost everything in a fierce blaze, just weeks before they expect a baby, have been overwhelmed by gifts from big-hearted World readers.

A fire sparked off by an electrical wiring fault above a boiler ripped through their home in The Penfolds, Halton Brook, Runcorn, whilst they were out at work.

"We had just finished refurbishing it after nearly a year," said the expectant dad, who does not wish to be named.

"It was a bit of a nightmare but, thankfully no one was hurt. It could have been a lot worse."

The couple, who both work at the O2 call centre in Preston Brook, say they have been inundated with donations of baby clothes, equipment, gifts and cash from their work colleagues, neighbours, friends and relatives.

"Everyone's been brilliant, we've been inundated with stuff," he said. "We'd like to thank everyone. We've got everything we need now."

One generous World reader offered a stack of brand new baby clothes and even a pram and carry cot.

She said: "When I read that they'd lost absolutely everything, I just wanted to do something to help."

The couple, who already have a sixteen-month-old son, are expecting their second child at the end of the month.

They are now preparing to move into a rented house, arranged by their insurers, until their ravaged home can be repaired.