A FATHER-OF-TWO spent his 72nd birthday trying to salvage personal belongings after a “colossal” fire tore through his home.

David Pickup has lived in Beech Close, Darwen, with wife Brenda, 67, for the past 41 years.

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The couple, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year, were out walking on land at the rear of their cul-de-sac house when they noticed smoke billowing into the sky.

“We saw lots of smoke going up and wondered what it was,” said Mr Pickup.

“We never thought for one minute it was going to be our house.

“We had an electrician working in the house at the time but it wasn’t his fault, it was to do with the lighting, and it was actually a good job he was there to be able to alert the fire brigade.”

Fire engines rushed to the property at about 5.30pm on Wednesday night.

Mr Pickup said: “They were here for a few hours.

“The firefighters were fantastic — they did a great job.

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“They extinguished the main fire quite quickly but stayed to make sure there were no pockets of fire, and they even tried to put sheets over the roof for us as well.”

The blaze started in the attic space of the bungalow, but the flames were so intense that it burnt through the roof and also caused the ceiling to cave in.

Mr Pickup said: “We’re just trying to salvage what we can, but almost everything is ruined.

“The damage is colossal, but it’s also the stuff that can’t be replaced.”

The couple have two children, Neil and Elaine, who are both in their 40s and live locally with families.

They are now staying with Mr Pickup’s sister, Christine Roberts, while they go through the insurance and try and make their home safe and inhabitable again.

“I can’t thank my sister enough,” said Mr Pickup.

“To have family you can rely on and stay with has been comforting.

“It’s much better than staying in a hotel,” he added.