A MUM has thanked the community for rallying round after her Bridport home was devastated in a kitchen fire.

Sara Buchanan and her children lost their possessions after a blaze ripped through their South Street home.

The mother-of-four said she has been overwhelmed by peoples' kindness after a number of collections were set up to support the family.

Donations of money, clothing and other items have been pouring in as the community has rallied around to help.

Ms Buchanan said her children, Rebecca, 18, Morgan, 13, Bob, seven, and Beth, six, were lucky to escape with their lives after a fire broke out in their kitchen on Thursday evening.

She said: “I was out posting a letter when it happened. Morgan went into the kitchen and saw the fridge on fire.

“Rebecca saw it and screamed and the neighbours heard and came round.

“They basically saved my kids' lives because the youngest two were asleep upstairs in bed.

“By the time they had brought Bob and Beth down the kitchen was ablaze.

“The firefighters said the children were lucky to get out and it's all thanks to our neighbours.”

The 43-year-old said the whole house is badly damaged by smoke and flames.

She said: “The kitchen is completely destroyed and there's serious smoke damage in the rest, which is almost as bad as fire damage.

“Everything is covered in thick soot which doesn't wash out and the smell is impossible to get rid of.

“The house is devastated but the main thing is that we're all OK.

“It's amazing the amount of support and help we've had from everyone.

“There are so many people helping, it's so overwhelming.”She added: “It has really made me realise how amazing this town is, the way people rally around together in a crisis is incredible.

“No one thinks about themselves, they just think about other people, there's a real community spirit.

“I really do want to thank everyone for everything they have done.

“I appreciate it all so much and want to thank every person who has donated.”

Ms Buchanan said she wants to warn people to check their appliances for faulty models.

She said: “Our fridge was a Beko but I don't know if it was a model on the recall list.

“I want to warn people to check with the manufacturer to see if their fridges and appliances are on any recall lists.

“This could have cost my kids' lives.”