Homeowners were left devasted after a fire ripped through their family home just minutes before it was due to be viewed by dozens of potential buyers at an estate agent’s open morning.

Mark and Sharon Wibberley, who lived in their property in Tameside, Greater Manchester, for 35 years, had to flee the house, which was reportedly uninsured.

The damage to their home and possessions was “incalculable”, Marc Wibberley told the Manchester Evening News.

He said: “The whole house is absolutely ruined. It’s just horrific.

“My wife’s in tears, I’ve been in tears, I’m not ashamed to say.”

It is thought the fire started after sparks from a downstairs log burner blew out of the chimney and into the loft under a loose roof tile.

The house was up for sale at an asking price if £170,000 and the couple were preparing for an open morning in which 30 prospective buyers were lined up to view the property with the estate agent.

The fire broke out 20 minutes before they were due to arrive and Mark Wibberley says a woman banged on the door and told them the “roof was on fire”.

Wibberley ran up to the loft and threw buckets of water on the flames in a desperate attempt to stop the fire from spreading, but the thick black smoke was too intense and he was forced to flee.

He commented: “I threw a bucket of water on the fire but it didn’t make a dent, so I got another bucket.

“By that time the lady next door was shouting at us to get out because it was really going.

“I couldn’t see a thing. There was black smoke everywhere.

“My wife was screaming at me to get out saying it was too late, so we grabbed a couple of possessions and the parrots and just got out.”

In a statement, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Six fire engines from Whitehill, Marple, Ashton and Gorton fire stations were quickly at the scene.

“The fire involved the roof space of an end-terrace domestic property.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have used two hose reels, three jets, and other specialist equipment to tackle the fire and prevent any further spread.

“Two people have been assessed at the scene by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service.

“Residents in the vicinity are advised to keep windows and doors closed and stay clear of the area while crews carry out their work.”