Gareth Cullen is cursing his bad fortune after the few possessions he had left after a burglary were destroyed in a fire only days later.

The luckless 19-year-old accountancy student's stereo system was stolen and his television smashed during the break-in at his flat in Griffe Road, Wyke, shortly before Christmas.

Then, the remainder of his possessions were destroyed in the blaze last weekend - including forms he had filled in to arrange insurance cover following the burglary.

"I'm absolutely devastated," said Gareth, whose family and friends are now rallying round to provide him with emergency clothing.

"Luckily I had no Christmas presents at the house at the time of the break-in. After that I filled out insurance forms straight away but they were destroyed in the fire before I had time to post them.

"All of my clothes are ruined apart from the ones I was wearing on Saturday night and I've got no furniture left. I've lost everything, the smoke has wiped everything out.

"But my neighbours have been really good, helping me to clean out the place."

Gareth, a part-time accountancy student at Babington Business Courses in Dewsbury, said he might have to give up his studies and get a job to pay for the damage to the property.

He discovered the fire after he returned to his rented home on Sunday lunchtime, having left at 7pm the previous evening to stay with friends.

Firemen at the scene said a smouldering cigarette on the settee had started the fire.

Friends and neighbours have been helping him clear up the mess.

Sandra Locker said: "It's awful. Gareth is a really nice lad and we have known him for years. We are doing everything we can because he has got nothing left. He was devastated and in total shock. He couldn't believe it had happened."

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