TWO men had a ‘lucky escape’ after a blaze destroyed the bedroom of a Tonge Moor home.

Fire crews from Bolton were called to Eldon Street at around 11am to reports of a large fire.

Gary Halton was caring for two men when he left his house before the fire started in an upstairs bedroom.

Glen Newnes and his son Callum Kershaw were waiting for Mr Halton to return from a nearby shop when they attempted to put out the blaze.

Mr Halton, a stonemason, who cares for Glen and Callum in his spare time, said: “I just nipped to the shop round the corner to get some gas and some lunch for the lads.

“I came back round the corner when I saw the smoke and fire, I thought that can’t be my house.

“I was in shock. Just as I approached it, the heat from the fire burst open the top window which came crashing down.

“Glen and Callum attempted to put it out but it was too big and they were covered in black soot.

“I’m just so thankful they’re okay.”

Mr Halton had planned to take the pair on a dream trip to Thailand with savings he had been storing under his mattress.

The father-of-two added: “I can forget taking them on the holiday I had promised because I’ve lost everything.

“My grandmother always told me to keep important things under your bed.

“I’ve lost my passport, driving licence and all the cash I had saved for this holiday.

“I’m absolutely gutted but it’s a lesson learnt.”

Mr Halton is appealing for any bedroom furniture so he can stay at his home. He said: “If anyone has a spare bed they’re thinking of throwing out I would be grateful of it.

“I’ve been offered a few places to stay but I can’t leave my cats.

“My neighbours have been amazing helping out.

“I just want to clear up the mess and get things back to normal.”

Firefighters believed a cigarette had been left in the bedroom sparking the fire, however Mr Halton says an electrician has assessed the room and claims it was down to a faulty plug socket.

Watch manager Neil Mercer said: “The two men had a lucky escape, if it wasn’t for their smoke alarm alerting them to the fire it could have become an even bigger problem.

“Luckily we were able to control the fire which had burnt out the bed, furniture and the window.

“It could have easily spread throughout the house and took out both houses either side too.

“The bedroom is completely destroyed. Its imperative people check their smoke alarms and to request free alarms to be fitted by the fire service.”

Both men suffered from smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene.

Police have launched an investigation to find the cause of the fire.