A FAMILY lost everything after a fire ripped through their home.

Now folk are rallying around to help the family, who luckily weren't at home when the blaze struck at about 9am on Saturday.

The blaze, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, completely gutted the upstairs of the terraced property in Bishops Frome and the roof and was so dangerous inside firefighters made the decision to tackle the blaze only from the outside.

Smoke and water damage was caused to the adjourning property, but crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Mother Melanie Woodhouse, who has lived in the rented house for 11 years, said: “We are devastated but are amazed by the generosity shown by the people of Herefordshire. We have been given bags and bags of stuff.”

Her son returned home at about 11.45am and risked his life to save his pet dog from a fire.

Will Tolley, who plays for Bromyard Town, said he didn’t think twice about saving Staffordshire terrier Roxy.

He had returned home to collect his football boots, as he was due to play in his team’s match against Shifnal Town on Saturday, when the drama unfolded.

“I went round the back and could see that the windows were dark and thought – that can’t be right,” said Will, aged 19, who used to play for West Bromwich Albion’s academy team.

“So I went in and had to feel my way round – it was dark everywhere. I heard a noise and knew it was Roxy. I found her downstairs by the porch.

“If I died, I died – there was no way I was going to let her stay.”

Step-father Richard Young and sister Alicia, aged 10, complete the family.

A family cat called Ki died in the blaze, but the family’s other pets – Rose the tarantula and Bubbles the hamster, as well as tropical fish – all survived.

Melanie added: “My sister was going to babysit for Alicia and my niece here, but thankfully she didn’t otherwise they would have been here, which doesn’t bear thinking about.”

The family are now living with Melanie’s sister.

A bingo night has been organised at Bromyard Leisure Centre on Friday, April 13, at 7.30pm to raise money for the family. A Facebook group has also been set up.