Pair escape 'ball of flames' that destroyed home

Two men who escaped a suspected e-bike fire that destroyed their home have described it as "a ball of flames".

Harry Ward, 27, and Liam Davies, 26, lost all their possessions and Ward's two cats in the fire that engulfed their home in Quedgeley, Gloucester, on Tuesday evening.

The pair were sitting in their kitchen when they heard "loud banging" and saw an orange glow around the doorframe.

"I opened the door and as soon as we walked in it was just a ball of flames, like nothing I've ever seen in my life," said Ward.

"It was floor to ceiling immediately, we both just bolted for the front door," he added.

"There was no time to react, it was just a case of getting out," said Davies.

"By the time we rushed outside the flames were already coming out of the front door."

The housemates said the fire caused a series of small explosions that blew out the door and windows.

They believe the explosions were caused by the cells of an e-bike that was charging at the time.

Ward and Davies thanked the fire service, who they say were on the scene within minutes of them getting out of the house.

The local community have also offered to support them in any way they can.

"Its not what I expected, I expected people to slate us, to think what idiots, but instead its the complete opposite," said Davies.

"I honestly can't say thank you enough to everyone who's said something," added Ward.

The fire service is continuing to investigate what caused the blaze.

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