Leeds family lose everything they own in devastating house fire
A devastated Leeds family lost everything they own in a horrific house fire just four days into the new year - before their community rallied to raise more than £3,500.
Shocking pictures supplied to the Yorkshire Evening Post show the charred remains of the family home in Potternewton following the fire on the night of January 4.
The doors of the home were burnt out, with flames spreading through bookcases and each room.
Edyta and Llowell Williams lived at the home with their six-year-old child Cassita.
Their neighbour Vicky Thirlaway, speaking to the YEP, said she had been woken by the noise of the blaze before the fire service arrived.
Other neighbours had bravely ran to the home to try to help - while the family succeeded in escaping the flames without injury.
However, the damage was so devastating that the house is now "completely uninhabitable", Vicky said.
Vicky said: "Everything is gone, and it's heartbreaking particularly just after Christmas when the financial situation of the family is already difficult because, like so many, they've been really impacted by the pandemic."
Vicky said she wanted to help the family and set up a GoFundMe page to start fundraising.
She believed she may be able to raise a couple of hundred pounds to support the residents.
Despite lockdown financial pressures, the community has rallied to raise more than £3,500 for the grateful family in just two days.
Vicky added: "I couldn't think what to do but talking with another neighbour, thought it would be worth trying to raise some funds for the family, and asked her to contact them to ask for permission first.
"I thought maybe we would be able to get a few hundred pounds.
"The response from people has been amazing."
Vicky said the family were "in shock" and "totally heartbroken".
She added: "Cassita just wants to come home.
"It's really hard to see that happening anytime soon.
"They are, though, totally blown away by the kindness of strangers who've donated.
"Other neighbours are helping with trying to help salvage things from the wreckage, and offering support however they can.
"The whole community was shocked by what we saw on Monday night."
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