A mum has told of her devastation after watching how a major fire "severely damaged" her home. Claire Rogers was in the bath when she first noticed smoke coming in her house in Bestwood, Nottingham.
The 31-year-old said she put her pyjamas on and ran out of the house when she saw flames coming towards her home. It is believed to have broken out at around 5pm on Sunday, July 17.
Mrs Rogers, who has lived at her property on Stevenholme Crescent for 14 years, said she was "shocked to see flames coming towards my house so fast". She added: "Luckily my son was at his friends when it happened.
"But he came back home when the brigades arrived. It was shocking."
Police closed roads in the Stevenholme Crescent area while the incident was being dealt with. Residents living nearby were urged to close windows and doors and people were asked to avoid the area if possible.
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Mrs Rogers said: "It was one house that was severely damaged, and unfortunately it was mine. The kitchen is ruined.
"We all got out of the houses when it happened. We were all just watching - I was shocked.
"My alarms did not go off even though there was a lot of smoke. I am so grateful that it did not happen during nigh time.
"It scared me. It spread everywhere so fast."
She said her three bedroom house was "severely damaged". Pictures of her house show black smoke covering the walls and structure of her home.
"I think that the damage would be around £1,000. There is an investigation going on at the moment to se determine whether our house is liveable or not because the kitchen is completely ruined.
Mrs Rogers, a single mum who lived in the house with her son said she has been staying with friend' and family in the meantime. A fundraising page was set up by her mum to help her family at this time.
The page has currently raised £180 at the time of publishing. A message on the page reads: "My daughter's home was badly damaged in a fire. Claire is a single mum and her home has been decimated by smoke and fire damage.
"Claire does not have home insurance and she struggles financially on a daily basis as a single parent. Any donation would be gratefully received."
The incident was declared a major incident. It is believed that the blaze started as a big grass fire next to properties, and around 30 properties were evacuated.
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue service added: "The fire was in an open area of grassland next to houses. There was over 10,000 sqm of grassland damaged by the fire."
A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson warned people of the dangers of grass fires following the incident, adding: "We have seen an increase in grass fires over the past month. The cause of these fires have been accidental due to the weather, set deliberately or caused by careless acts in the outdoors.
"We ask that people stay safe outdoors, especially in this heat. If anyone does come across a wildfire, we ask that they keep a safe distance and call 999. Our Joint Control room need as much information as possible about the fire, so ensure you have What3Words downloaded so it can help give an exact location of the fire."
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