A FAMILY has praised brave members of the public who risked their life to rescue a woman from a house after it went up in flames on Christmas Eve.

Firefighters also rushed to the woman's aid on Monday after they were alerted to the blaze within a flat in Kilsyth.

The inferno broke out in the ground floor of the Kingston flats within the North Lanarkshire village before 3pm.

The woman was taken to Monklands General Hospital and a fundraising drive has been set up by family in her honour after she was left with nothing.

The fundraising page stated: "On Christmas Eve, my mother-in-law was rescued from her house by some amazing individuals when a fire started in her home.

"If these people had not risked their lives to get her out she would not be here.

"She has been kept in hospital overnight for observation and should be allowed out Christmas Day, to her sisters home.

"She has been left with nothing after the fire. No clothes, no personal documents or bank cards and only has the nightdress she was wearing when she was taken out the house.

"We are hoping to raise money for her to be able to replace clothing, and to try and help her get rehomed ASAP.

"Any amount will be appreciated and will help her start her life from scratch again."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 2.49pm on Monday, December 24 to reports of a fire within a flat in Kilsyth.

“Operations Control mobilised two fire engines to Kingston flats where firefighters extinguished the fire in the ground floor.

“One female casualty was treated at the scene by Scottish Ambulance Service personnel and was thereafter taken to Monklands General Hospital for further checks.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

You can donate to the page here