Evesham man's harrowing story of losing everything in fire

John Griffiths was with his disabled godson in his three-bedroom house in Bridleway Views, Evesham, when the pair heard a large pop sound from the TV.

Five seconds later, flames had engulfed Mr Griffiths's ceiling, and flames began to spread from the first-floor bedroom into the roof. 

One of the windows of the house had blown off. (Image: John Griffiths)

The 59-year-old quickly had to escort his godson out of the building, grab his medication, and leave the door open for his cats to escape the blaze.

"I was trying to be humorous, and I am a very religious person, so I shouted 'Satan, you are a loser' because he does try and get to you," Mr Griffiths said. 

"He is a loser, and that is that.

"It does feel weird, and I wake up crying my eyes out."

Walls and ceilings have been damaged. (Image: John Griffiths)

Mr Giffiths and his godson received no injuries from the fire and the only thing he lost was his favourite Godzilla teddy bear.

"The entire upstairs has gone, the ceilings are damaged, the floors need doing, the bathroom window was blown off its hinges and was found in the garden.

"I had spent £600 on portraits of my daughters which had melted into the walls.

One of the bedrooms in the house. (Image: John Griffiths)

"I did not have contents insurance because it was too much on top of my electricity and gas bills last winter.

"But the main thing is that my godson is alive, and I am safe."

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with two hose reel jets.

His nine-year-old cat called Sooty had received minor burns.

Mr Griffiths is in need of clothes and bedding and is currently staying in a hotel funded by his church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - while more suitable accommodation is being sorted by Platform Housing.

Another room left bare after the fire. (Image: John Griffiths)

The church also arranged a rota with its members so he has a home and a table to eat from each night.

"We need prayers," he added.

"I don't really need anything because I do not have a house, but we need your prayers. 

"I am trying to look on the bright side - I am still crying my eyes out every day."

Crews from Evesham, Broadway and Redditch Fire Stations attended Bridleway Views along with Warwickshire colleagues from Bidford-on-Avon.

A Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “HWFR was called out to a house fire in Evesham at 9.32pm on Friday (August 18).

“They were joined by the aerial ladder platform from Worcester.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing."

A West Mercia Police spokesperson added: “The fire is not being treated as suspicious and no-one was injured.”