'The house is a mess, we've lost everything': Fire rips through family home killing dog and destroying Christmas presents

Claire Harpin, who lived in the Graiseley Road house in Wednesfield with her four boys Rhys, 14, Kyle, 12, Callum, nine, and Tyler, four, told of her terror at realising the danger she and her children were facing when the house went up in flames last Tuesday.

The 34-year-old said: "I had been decorating the Christmas tree.

"I had got the kids stuff ready for school the next day and they were in bed.

"I was tired and hungry, so I put the chip pan on.

"But I fell asleep. The smoke alarms didn't work, but luckily I woke up and managed to get the boys out in time.

"We got out of the house then the kids said: 'The dog, the dog!'

"I tried to go back in and get him but by that stage it was uncontrollable and there was nothing I could do.

"The kids are really upset, we try not to talk about it.

"My four-year-old doesn't really know what's going on, we've just told him he's gone to another home.

"But the older ones are devastated, they are more upset about Rocky than anything else.

"He was a lovely dog, he wanted every bit of food that was going but he was amazing with the children."

She added: "The house is a mess, we've lost everything.

"I managed to get a few pictures luckily, and there are some clothes I can wash, but everything else is gone.

"My eldest was really good on the night, my middle two have been a bit quiet and Tyler is very clingy at the moment, they've all been affected by it."

Nothing will bring back precious Rocky to the Harpin family, but kind-hearted neighbours and friends in Wednesfield have been digging deep to try and help them get back on their feet.

The family have been taken in by Claire's aunt, but they are effectively homeless until a new place can be sorted out.

Despite the heartache though, Claire paid tribute to her friend John Roberts, who has set up an online fundraising page to help give the family a much-needed cash boost ahead of Christmas.

She said: "He's been amazing, and I can't believe how the whole community has come together.

"All our kids have gone to school together, they all play football together and are really close.

"He's made the fundraising page and people who know me and the family have been putting in what they can.

"John's done a lot, he's got kids of his own so he understands."

To help the Harpin family's plight, you can donate at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/john-roberts