A BLACKPOOL family whose council house was gutted by fire last week will be able to return to their home, a Blackpool Borough Council spokesman.

Troy and Jo Pritchard and their 12 children were forced to abandon their home at Thornber Grove, Blackpool, on Friday night after fire broke out in one of the bedrooms.

The upper floor of one half of the property -- which is two houses knocked into one -- was extensively damaged in the blaze, which also caused smoke and heat damage to the rooms beneath.

The Pritchards were reportedly fearful that they would lose their home, which was specially converted to accommodate the large family.

But the council has decided to pay for the property to be repaired, allowing the family to move back in as soon as possible.

District manager Maggie Cornall at the council's landlord services, said the building would be repaired because it was still structurally sound.

She added: "We are working with the Pritchard family to organise emergency accommodation for them and they are also getting help from their family with regards to accommodation.

"We have carried out some inspections to the property and considerable work will be needed."

She was unable to say how long the work will take but said it would be completed as quickly as possible to allow the Pritchards to return.

Mr and Mrs Pritchard were in the house with ten of their children and three guests when the fire broke out. It is thought to have started when a 15-year-old boy was refilling a petrol lighter in the bedroom.