'I spent years building my home up, and it's all gone in 5 minutes'

MUM DEVASTATED AS BLAZE DESTROYS HER HOUSE

- By EMILY CARUBIA ECHO Reporter

A MUM said she has "lost everything" after a devastating fire ripped through her family home.

Betty Scarlett was about to start work as a support worker on Wednesday when she got a frantic phone call from her son to tell her a blaze had broken out.

The 60-year-old rushed back to her house on Woodward Road, New Ferry, to find her home nothing more than a burnt-out scene. Neighbours had run out with a bag of sand in an attempt to extinguish the flames, but the fire had spread rapidly and it was deemed too dangerous to enter.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue received a 999 call at 9.31am from neighbours to say her home, where she lives with her 24-year-old son, was on fire. Three fire engines arrived eight minutes later and firefighters found the kitchen of the property well alight.