THE RUINS of a house that was destroyed in a fire has gone on the market for £50,000. 

Emergency services scrambled to the house, on Watlington Road in Cowley, on the night of February 19 after a major fire broke out. 

Martin Patten, 77, and his dog, who was named Jolly, both died inside the property. 

Firefighters worked throughout the week to tackle the blaze and neighbours on the row of terrace houses were evacuated.

Oxford Mail: Jolly the dogJolly the dog

After the fire, family friend Lynne Berry, set out on a mission to raise £35,000 to help rebuild the home which is "barely a shell". 

But the fundraiser was cancelled after she received online abuse. 

Now, more than nine months on, the property has gone up for sale with the guide price of £50K at auction. 

The property is the cheapest on the market in Oxford but it has no roof, is currently boarded up and is need of a lot of work. 

Oxford Mail: 66 Watlington Road 66 Watlington Road

Najib Malak can see the derelict property from his house. 

He remembers the night of the fire well and said his family was woken up by a load "crashing noise" that kept getting "bigger and bigger". 

Mr Malak said he remembers looking out the window to see smoke and the emergency services. 

Despite the property having no roof Mr Malak said he thinks £50K is a good price as the majority of homes in the area are about £200K. 

He said: "I think it is a really good deal, the only thing is it needs a lot of work doing to it, but if I had the chance I would."

Oxford Mail: Watlington Road home destroyed in fire on sale for £50K. Picture by Rebecca Whittaker

Rita Jones lives on Watlington Road and remembers her neighbours being evacuated on the night of the fire.

However, she has not been too concerned about the derelict house on her street she said: "I guessed eventually somebody would do something about it."

Ms Jones agreed that £50K was a really good price for a property in the area. 

The house is so damaged that the auction listing advises that any viewings are at your own risk.

The terraced house with two floors is located near to the junction with Berry Close, close to local shops and public transport. 

On the first floor there is three bedrooms and a bathroom and on the ground floor there is a reception room and a kitchen. The house also has a front and back garden. 

The house will be auctioned by the estate agents, McHugh & Co, on Thursday, December 2.

Inside the property: 

Oxford Mail: Mc Hugh & CoMc Hugh & Co

Oxford Mail: Mc Hugh & CoMc Hugh & Co

Oxford Mail: Mc Hugh & CoMc Hugh & Co

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