Family flee blaze horror

A SHELL-SHOCKED mum has spoken of the moment she rushed her family to safety before a blaze gutted their cherished home.

The Davis family were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs after a fire in the loft caught hold and caused the ceiling to collapse — destroying treasured family mementos.

Now they’ve showered praise on those who have rallied round to help them, as they come to terms with losing everything.

It was around 10pm last Tuesday when Deborah’s husband Martin shouted upstairs from the garden of their Herbert Street home in Watersheddings.

Deborah said: “He saw smoke coming from the roof and shouted up to me ‘get the kids and get out — the roof is on fire.’

“We ran out into the street and could see thick white smoke, then flames, then we saw the ceiling collapse into the bedrooms. I had heard a noise upstairs but it just sounded like something falling in the loft, the smoke alarms didn’t go off.”

Neighbours watched as the mum, her husband and two children aged 12 and nine saw their home crumble in front of them.

Treasured family heirlooms including rare train sets, jewellery from the couple’s late parents and all their family photos were destroyed.

Deborah added: “We’re just so grateful we all got out. If the fire had been an hour later we would have been in bed.”

The schools where the children attend, Newman College and St Teresa’s Primary School, have each kitted the children out for free with new uniforms, while Newman staff have even offered the family furniture. Friends, family and neighbours also helped them in the aftermath.

Deborah added: “Everyone has been amazing. Even people we don’t know on Facebook have been offering us things.”

The family are now staying in a hotel while they arrange alternative accommodation.