Pictures: Telford family's night of fun ends in smoke drama

The Thomas family from Telford were enjoying the display at Madeley Cricket Club, when the toaster in their kitchen caught fire.

When they arrived home, Craig Thomas and his wife Clare, 33, along with their three children Connor, 14, Lauren, eight, and Carly, six, realised something serious was going on.

There were no flames coming from the three-bedroom house in Purbeckdale, Dawley, but smoke filled the house and caused thousands of pounds in damage.

Craig Thomas said when they got home they could hear the alarms going off in the house, and the first thing he did was try and rescue the family's pets.

"We have a cat, Millie and a parrott Rocky," he said. "The first thing I did when I realised what was happening was try to get them out.

"There were no flames just smoke, which I thought was really odd.

"So I ran to the front door and pulled it open. I managed to get both of the animals out but the cat was in a bad state.

"They are doing better now and we are just hoping they make a full recovery.

"Not long after the fire service turned up and managed to bring the fire under control."

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have told the family the fire started after something was left leaning against the toaster in the kitchen. This caused the appliance to catch fire, with smoke destroying most of the family's belongings.

Mr Thomas said the damage to the house is mainly from smoke, but the family of five are now living in temporary accommodation.

He explained: "We went to a bonfire on Friday night and my wife Clare didn't want to take her bag.

"She took some cash out of her bag and then quickly put it down on the side.

"What the fire service are saying is that she knocked the buttons on the toaster, which is what started the fire.

"It was only a small fire but the smoke damage is everywhere.

"All of the downstairs is damaged because we had the doors open.

"But upstairs it isn't as bad because we had all the bedroom doors shut.

"Just all of the kids clothes have been ruined by the smoke, but we have managed to get some clothes sorted for school, which is great."

Friends of the Thomas family have set up a GoFund page, which has raised just over £600 to help them get back on their feet.

Mr Thomas said he cannot thank the community enough for pulling together to help his wife and three children.

"We are just over whelmed by the generosity of people," he said. "We didn't know anything about the page, so to hear how people are supporting us is amazing.

"It was set up without our knowledge by a very good friend of ours, and we will be able to use the money once we are back on our feet."

The fire on Friday at about 9.15pm comes exactly a year after Mr Thomas was diagnosed with kidney failure. He had to give up his job as a lorry driver so he could begin dialysis.

"The timing just could not have been worse and as I need my dialysis machine every night it is just making it awkward with where we stay. I just cannot thank everyone for their support enough. We are truly overwhelmed."

• To donate visit the GoFund page on www.gofundme.com/pu8zqd38