Man lost late dad's belongings in fatal fire

Large parts of Main Street and Market Street remain cordoned off

A man whose late father's belongings were destroyed in a major fire says he is "completely at a loss".

Sam Clay had just taken in the possessions of his dad, who died exactly one month before Sunday's fatal blaze, which ripped through a flat in Kirkby Lonsdale's Main Street.

A man who died has been named locally as 45-year-old Ben Taylor, a business owner and member of the Cumbrian town's rugby club.

Mr Clay, who is also a rugby player, said he was "heartbroken" at the death of his neighbour and friend.

The fire happened at about 05:45 GMT, destroying three shops and a number of apartments on the corner of Main Street and Market Street.

Some 75 firefighters were called to the scene to help bring it under control.

Mr Clay told BBC Radio Cumbria how he and his girlfriend were woken by police who said they needed to leave.

"We grabbed the dog but unfortunately I lost a lot of pets," he said.

"I was a reptile breeder and I lost 26 pet snakes in the fire."

Sam Clay, pictured left, and his friend, Josh Ree, lost all of their belongings in the blaze

He said he was called by his landlord who told him about his neighbour's death.

"It was a massive shock. It took me two hours to understand what he just said," Mr Clay added.

Mr Clay said lots of pictures and items of sentimental value were destroyed, along with "everything he had built up over the past five years in Kirkby Lonsdale".

"I turned up here to play rugby with two holdalls and that was all I had. Now I have even less."

The fire happened the same weekend the town was holding its Christmas fair

More than £15,000 has been raised online to help people affected by the fire.

"I can't thank people enough," Mr Clay said, adding: "We cannot believe the generosity from people.

"I'm still processing the loss of my father really. It's going to be a long time before I truly realise what's actually unfolded over the few days. It's heartbreaking stuff."

The cause of the fire, which broke out early on Sunday, is not yet known

Mr Clay plays for Darlington Mowden Park RFC, which is hosting a match at the Northern Echo Arena on Saturday at 15:00, among other fundraising efforts.

"Sam has been so strong dealing with the loss of his father and as a rugby club, we are very proud of how he has dealt with it and continued to play rugby," the club said.

"To lose your home in the same month is an absolute travesty."