Firefighters praised after farm shop saved in blaze drama

A farm shop owner has praised firefighters for saving her home and business.

Fire tore through the first floor of the family living area above Picks Organic Farm Shop, in Barkby Thorpe, on the outskirts of Leicester on Thursday afternoon.

An unattended candle set fire to clothing in a bedroom.

The blaze destroyed the bedroom and caused smoke damage to the rest of the house.

The property belongs to Nicky Chambers, 47, who started the family business with her cousin, Tim Pick, 12 years ago.

She said: "I was away but Tim was looking after the shop and my children were both in the house. My 18-year-old daughter was revising for an exam up in her room.

"She had one of those smelly candles going beside her but was having problems with the internet connection.

"She went downstairs to check the server and when she got back the candle had tipped over and set her dressing gown alight.

"She and her brother tried their best to put the fire out but did the right thing by leaving the building."

Tim, 53, said: "By the time I got to the bedroom, there were flames coming out of the door and licking the ceiling.

"When the children left the dog was still up there but we managed to get it out.

"There were flames and thick smoke everywhere. I was relieved to know everybody was out but at that point feared for the rest of the house and shop."

The first pump arrived within 10 minutes of the alarm being raised and firefighters with breathing gear entered the house to deal with the blaze.

Ms Chambers said: "I cannot praise the fire service enough."

Mr Pick said: "They not only saved the house from any further damage but saved our shop and business."

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