A HEART-BROKEN family in Latchford face an uncertain Christmas after a fire destroyed their home.

The family of six were left devastated after their Christmas gifts and personal belongings went up in flames along with their home – one week before Christmas.

Gemma Barber, a neighbour, recalls the terrifying moment she heard screams coming from the house and knew something was wrong.

She said: “I had been working nights and I had only been asleep for an hour.

“The fire exploded the windows and I heard them all screaming, ‘fire, fire, fire!’.

“A firefighter had to resuscitate one of the cats.

“The other is okay but one is now in the vets which will cost £800 so we are trying to get people to help.

“We just need to try and raise the funds for the family.”

READ > 18-month-old wins free holidays every year until he's 18

The emergency services were called to the home on Reynolds Street shortly after 1pm on Sunday, December 16.

When firefighters arrived they discovered a large fire burning on the ground floor and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and a high pressure fan to clear away the smoke.

READ > Homeless shelter saved until 2020 after funding promise

Firefighters gave first aid to a woman who had suffered singeing to the hair and face and also provided oxygen and treatment to two cats who had been in the house.

A JustGiving page has been set up to try to raise £4,000 to help the family.

The Latchford community have also come together to appeal for clothes for the parents and four children - a 19-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl, 12-year-old boy and 6-year-old boy - along with furniture, everyday essentials and Christmas presents which were all lost in the blaze.

Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School in Grammar School Road has also rallied together to help the family get back on their feet and asked for parents to drop items off at the school reception.

Click here to visit the JustGiving page and leave them a message of support