'My son's presents were destroyed in arson attack'

A father-of-three whose children's Christmas presents were destroyed in a suspected arson attack said his home is a "write-off" and he is currently sofa-surfing with his son.

Chris Nixon's flat above a row of shops on Mexborough High Street in Doncaster is uninhabitable after a derelict building next door was set alight on New Year's Eve and firefighters spent seven hours battling the blaze.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed the cause of the fire was deliberate and an arson investigation is ongoing.

Mr Nixon, 40, told the BBC that it was lucky that he and his nine-year-old son were not inside at the time but the boy is "terrified" and refuses to go back there.

He said the fire crews had to use so much water to extinguish the fire that his whole home is "completely sodden" and his children's gifts - including expensive games consoles - were ruined.

Mr Nixon, who also has 16-year-old twin daughters, was on his way home when he got a call at about 15:00 GMT to say the buildings were "completely engulfed in flames" and the emergency services needed access to his flat.

"I couldn't get anywhere near the property and they wouldn't let me in to try and get any belongings out.

"I wanted to gather up as much as I could but they said it was just too unsafe," he said.

Mr Nixon said the derelict building that was set alight had been empty for about 18 months but was an anti-social behaviour hotspot, with drug use and "kids messing about".

"I'm just relieved it didn't happen at night - the outcome would have been very different.

"But my son is still really shook up and won't go back there."

Mr Nixon is staying between friends and family and he and his son have managed to "scrape a few clothes together" while Doncaster Council is in the process of finding them emergency accommodation.

Mr Nixon plans to go back to the flat to see if any of his belongings are salvageable when he can and his friend has set up an an online fundraising page to help out.

"I'm just happy for all the support I've received and all the donations.

"Everyone's been really helpful, doing everything they can to support me and my lad."

He added: "When things like this happen it gives you a good sense of your community."

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said at the fire's peak, there were eight fire engines and a turntable ladder but "fortunately all people were accounted for and no one was hurt".

A spokesperson said: "We left the scene at around 22:00 GMT and it is thought the fire was started deliberately."

South Yorkshire Police added: "The fire service made the building safe and inquiries led them to believe the fire was deliberately set and an investigation into arson is now ongoing."

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