A FRIEND of brothers who lost their parents in a house fire has rallied tradesmen and businesses to help renovate the severely damaged property in a self-styled Bolton 'DIY SOS' challenge.

The Albert Road West, Heaton, family home of newly-qualified doctor Ommid Rafie and medical student Arash Rafie went up in flames following a deliberate gas blast in December 2013.

They lost father Hassan Rafie, aged 49, mother Mahnaz Rafie, aged 48, and maternal grandmother Dolleh Joseph, aged 74, in the horrific incident.

Friend Aron Douglas, aged 35, of Burnley, who used to work as a solicitor and knew the Rafie family as clients, is taking advantage of some free time to start a push to transform the house the brothers inherited.

He said: "It's tragic and the insurance company wouldn't pay out.

"It's in a state of disrepair as it was from the fire.

"Ommid and Arash have not been able to move back in.

"One is living with his girlfriend in Liverpool and the other is living in a hostel."

Since the fatal fire, the brothers have graduated from The University of Manchester and are now both working as junior doctors but have not had the time or money to tackle such a daunting project on their own.

Mr Douglas has approached a raft of local tradespeople and firms to ask them for their time, expertise and materials.

Their willingness to take part has helped shave an original 12-week timeframe down to an anticipated eight weeks.

He said: "It's like a Bolton DIY SOS.

"It will cost in the region of £80,000 to £90,000 to get this home back in a liveable condition.

"I'm doing my best to try to get it sorted and on a very small budget.

"The whole house needs gutting and securing, re-plastering, the whole shebang.

"We're doing as much as we can do and we need more help.

"Bolton is a close-knit community and we're asking for people to do whatever they can.

"Ommid and Arash are still anxious but they're excited because they'll finally be able to move back into the family home."

An inquest into the deaths held at Bolton Coroner's Court recorded unlawful killing verdicts against student trainee lawyer Mrs Rafie and Ms Joseph and an open verdict against Mr Rafie.

Mrs Rafie had died of stab wounds before the fire was started deliberately, the coroner was told.

Mrs Joseph died from smoke inhalation.

Any tradesmen or supply companies who would like to help can contact Mr Douglas on 07720 855067.