A COMMUNITY is rallying round to help a family with four children who are being rehomed after a blaze which severely damaged the upstairs of their house.

No-one was hurt but Diane Peacock, Alan Foster, and their four children, Laura, 14, Wayne,11, Dean, ten, and 18-month-old Adam are living with relatives until alternative housing can be organised.

The fire broke out in a bedroom of their home in Surrey Crescent, Moorside, in the Consett area of County Durham, at teatime on Friday.

Ms Peacock, 33, said: “My daughter came in from school and said the bedroom window was smoking upstairs. I was in with the baby and two boys. I shouted at them to get out. I ran upstairs and opened the bedroom door and that made it worse.

"The flames came flying out. The whole of the upstairs was black. I did not realise it was that bad. I could feel the heat and burnt my hand on the door handle.

“My daughter ran in and got the baby, but he had not clothes on as I am in the middle of potty training. I ran back in to get a blanket for him.”

Durham County Council have visited and advised no-one to enter the house as the roof is in danger of collapse.

Voluntary group Consett Community Trust, which runs a food, toy and clothes bank, has offered to help and is collecting essential items for the family.

“I am gobsmacked by the amount of people who are helping and all of the support we have got," said Ms Peacock. “It makes it a lot less daunting when you think you have to start again with nothing.”

Trust founder, Kelly Williamson, said around 30 people are collecting things for the family.

She said: “They have lost everything. People have been offering furniture but we are not at the stage yet because they have not got a home.

“We are getting toys for the little one, as well as coats, shoes and clothes for the others. We have got all sorts coming in.”

County Durham Fire and Rescue Service were called at 4pm on Friday and firefighters used a hose reel and breathing apparatus.

The service’s group manager Rob Turnbull said an investigation has been carried out but the cause is still unknown.

“We do safety and well-being visits for members of the communities we serve and fit free smoke alarms. If anyone would like us to visit I would urge them to get in touch.”

To find out more about fire safety call 0845-223-4221 and to help the family call Ms Williamson on 07931-795-293, email kellywilliamson@btinternet.com or search for Consett Community Trust on Facebook.

Ms Williamson has also set up a crowd funding page to help the family at: www.gofundme.com/5av2vhyk