A MAN whose home was gutted after a fire ripped through four houses on the street has thanked all his neighbours and friends for helping him to get his life back together.

Reg Smith, 74, who has lived in his New Bank Road home in Blackburn since 1934, had most of his possessions destroyed in the blaze.

But Reg is looking on the bright side now that he has been fully kitted out by friends with clothes and shoes.

Reg's neighbour, Phyllis Altham is letting him stay at her home until his house has been repaired.

Reg, a former insurance adviser for CIS said: "It has been a very unfortunate time for all of us involved in the fire, I along with everybody else have lost most of my belongings but it has all been made easier by having good neighbours to talk to and friends who have provided endless amounts of support.

"I am lucky because I have a good insurance policy that will help me get back on track although it won't help to replace some things that I have lost."

The fire happened late on August 26 at a house next door but one to Reg. He was in bed when the flames began to sweep through his house and was alerted of the fire by fire crew. Reg said: "I couldn't believe what was happening.

"One minute I was comfortably tucked up in bed and the next minute I was out in the middle of the street watching our houses going up in smoke."

The Mahmood family, also of New Bank Road, Blackburn were evacuated from their home after their roof had been completely burnt away by the fire.

Arshad Mahmood and her husband Sajid and their four children have had to split up and stay at houses in different parts of Blackburn while their house is repaired.

Reg, a regular member of the congregation at St Silas' Church, Preston New Road, Blackburn added: "I know that it is going to be months before we get back into our houses but I am sure that everything will turn out for the best.

"Already the fire has brought the community together regardless of age, race or sex which is fabulous to see.

"We have all built up good relationships with one another which has helped us to get through all of the bad times."