A YOUNG family have been left with nothing after a terrifying blaze tore through their home just days before Christmas.

 

Mary Rose Brennan, 27, and her two children Kiera, 11, and Daniel, 6, were forced to flee their house in Cardonald's Kirriemuir Avenue yesterday after a fire broke out in an upstairs cupboard.

The blaze tore through the semi-detached home in a matter of minutes, destroying all their clothes and furniture.

The family think a freezer, which was stored in a cupboard in an upstairs bedroom, malfunctioned and sparked the blaze.

Tragically, all the Christmas presents Mary Rose had bought for her kids had also been stored in the same cupboard and were instantly destroyed when the fire took hold.

Mary Rose, a student at Cardonald College, has been left badly shaken by the incident and was too shocked to talk about her ordeal.

Mum Agnes, 47, had travelled from her home in Thornliebank to come to her daughter's aid after the horrific blaze yesterday afternoon.

Agnes said: "My wee granddaughter ran out of her bedroom and said 'Mum, there's smoke coming from your room.'

"My son-in-law opened the cupboard door and saw flames everywhere.

"It tore through the house literally within five or six minutes.

"The windows have blown out in the front of the house, the living room is gutted, the bedrooms are gutted.

"The kitchen is still there but very badly damaged, it's completely unliveable."

Agnes said reality of what has happened hadn't really set in for Mary Rose yet, and added: " She's shaking and very disturbed by it.

"The kids are distraught, they were very upset and are staying with family tonight."

It is understood neighbours have had to be evacuated from their homes, and are staying in hotels until it is safe to return.

But for Mary Rose and her family, spending Christmas at home is now not an option.

Locals have already rallied round to help the family, who had to flee their house with nothing but the clothes they stood in.

Last night, kind-hearted locals brought donations and offered to help in any way they could.

Two of Mary Rose's friends have also organised a donation drive for tonight in a bid to help the family before Christmas.

They will be at the Cardonald Labour Hall on Mosspark Drive between 6 - 8pm, collecting donations.