THIEVES have been attempting to break into a house which was engulfed by a fire leaving six children homeless.

Claire Schofield, who has five children and her partner David Donaldson, who has a 12-year-old son, have been left with only the clothes on their backs after the blaze at their house in Shepley Avenue, Deane, early on Monday.

Their home has been boarded up while council officials carry out necessary repairs.

But the family's suffering has been made worse by thieves who have been trying to steal what they have got left in the house. Miss Schofield's mother Lynn Horan, said: "It is disgusting.

"Claire is distraught. On top of everything that has happened, she is having to run back to the house to try to protect what little they have left."

Lodger Trevor Walmsley woke up on the sofa shortly before 4am to find the front room full of smoke.

He alerted Miss Schofield, aged 23, and her 36-year-old partner and they gathered all the children together in one room. Miss Schofield jumped out of the first floor window and caught the youngsters with the help of neighbour Ronnie Cole as they were passed down by Mr Donaldson.

As well as caring for the children, she has also been visiting her partner who is still in hospital recovering from smoke inhalation.

Mrs Horan said: "The thieves are trying to get in through the top windows.

"Fire damaged belongings in the garden have already been stolen.

"It is amazing what people will take.

"We can't even get into the house ourselves to see what has been taken because it is not safe."

Police confirmed they had been called on a number of occasions to the property after receiving reports that people were trying to gain entry.

A police spokesman said: "If neighbours see anyone acting suspiciously or trying to break into the house, they should call us straight away."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Contractors could not fit the upstairs panels because of debris in the gardens.

"It will be cleared by the estate caretakers so the contractors can fit the panels to make the property more secure."

A smouldering cigarette is believed to have caused the fire.