The people of Crookes rushed to their neighbour’s side after it was reported via a Facebook post that a house on Duncan Road was on fire.

One neighbour replied to the post on the Crookes Community Facebook group, saying she was with owners of the house and they were safe.

She also asked the community group if they had any clothes or toys fit for a boy of 9-12 months, as everything had been burnt in the fire.

Over 15 people replied to the neighbour’s appeal in just a couple of minutes.

The fire engines were first seen rushing to the scene at 4.25pm and were reported to be leaving just after 7pm.

UPDATE

Neighbour Katy Elizabeth Stepanian said: “I went outside and there was a fireman in the back garden of the house four doors down from me, the road was closed off and smoke was coming out of the top attic room of the house.”

She spoke to a man who had been valuing a house two doors down from the property.

“He said he had come outside to see flames coming from the roof of the building. I think it was him who called 999,” Ms Stepanian said.

Today the affected property had its door boarded up and damaged wreckage was outside.

Christina Leadley, 80, a resident of Duncan Road, said: “I think what has happened is devastating.

“I saw flashing blue lights through the mirror reflection, and the fire engines were here for a couple of hours, and the street was completely cordoned off.”

UPDATE

The fire was reported as accidental and started in the attic.