A RETIRED couple are spending Easter in a caravan on their drive after a fire devastated their house.
The kitchen in Peter and Sandra Newton's home in Nottingham Road, Nuthall, was gutted and much of the rest of the house left black with soot.
Mrs Newton, 62, said the fire started after she went out, having forgotten she had left the gas cooker on.
She left husband Peter, 74, watching TV in the lounge. By the time he smelled smoke from the kitchen, it was too late. He tried to put damp towels over the flames, burning his hands, before being forced back. He managed to get out with the couple's six Irish setters before dialling 999 and calling his wife to tell her to come home.
When Mrs Newton arrived, 14 firefighters were at the house. She had to be held back after being told that one of the couple's dogs, eight-year-old Evie, had run back into the house.
"I was scared to think she was in there but they went back in and brought Evie out," said Mrs Newton. "Luckily she was OK."
Crews from Stockhill and Arnold were called to the fire at about 7.20pm on Friday.
Mrs Newton said: "It was horrible to come home and see your house on fire like that. I couldn't believe my eyes.
"The house is a complete mess now. We stayed in a hotel on Friday night but we didn't want to stay there longer.
"So we have come back and are staying in our caravan for the foreseeable future.
"It's upsetting, what has happened to the house. But I'm glad my husband and the dogs got out. I don't know what I would have done if not."
Mr Newton, 74, said: "I had been watching a few programmes on TV and realised I could smell smoke. I went into the next room where the dogs are kept and it was thick with smoke. I could tell it was coming from the kitchen.
"I tried to put the flames out but the fire was starting to really catch hold. I knew I had to get out.
"The landline wasn't working so I turned my mobile on and dialled 999. The fire engines were here within minutes."
The couple have taken two dogs to their daughter's home, and two more to a friend's. The other two, including Evie, are staying with them.
Mrs Newton said: "They are show dogs. I was out on Friday preparing for a show."
A fire service spokesman said they had sent three crews to the blaze, adding it had left the house badly damaged.
