Ref. 75865-52A move to Swindon was ruined for a family when a badly-fitted gas fire filled the living room with fumes.

Phil Jefferies and family had been in their home in Oakhurst, north Swindon, less than a week when he tried out the fire.

His wife Vanessa was in the other room while their daughter Rebecca, 10, was asleep upstairs.

"It filled the room with fumes but because I was in there I didn't notice," Mr Jefferies said.

"My wife came in and noticed instantly. When I stood up I felt really rough. I ran outside and was sick. I had a headache for a couple of hours afterwards.

"I was only in there about four or five minutes. If I had been in on my own I believe I wouldn't be here to tell you this.

"This could have killed my family. The gas supply should have been tested before I moved in."

Bovis Homes, which built the Tortworth Road house, accepts the fire was not fitted and tested properly.

Mr Jefferies, an IT manager from London, called an independent engineer to look at the fire.

Arron Debank, of A Debank Gas Services, issued a warning notice because fumes were not being removed from the room.

Mr Debank told the Advertiser these were carbon dioxide fumes, but that if the fire had been left on with the doors and windows closed lethal carbon monoxide would have been produced, possibly within an hour.

Mr Jefferies, 34, later learned that when the fire was fitted the flue was left blocked.

He is still looking for compensation after the leak in December.

Ruth McDonagh, public relations officer for Bovis Homes, said: "This was a most unfortunate occurrence.

"We have apologised to Mr Jefferies for any distress and inconvenience caused and rectified the problem to his satisfaction.

"As soon as the fault was reported we immediately gave appropriate safety advice and arranged for an engineer and area build director to visit the home.

"All our gas appliances are fitted and tested by Corgi registered engineers but this particular fire was not installed and tested in the appropriate manner.

"We are in communication with the contract engineer. We have been in communication with Mr Jefferies for some weeks and regret we have been unable to reach an amicable settlement."

Isabel Field