Community rallies to help out after fire

A fundraiser to help an East Kilbride family whose house was destroyed in a fire at the weekend has already surpassed its target.

Emergency services were battling the fierce fire on Friday night at Wellesley Drive in East Kilbride.

Dramatic video footage and images show the severity of the fire as fire officers tried to get the blaze under control.

However, pictures online show the extent of the damage to the house, which has left the young family involved homeless.

Now one resident, Sharon Smith, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £1000 to help the family – and it already stands at triple that.

In her appeal, Sharon wrote:“This lovely, caring young family, who have been constantly supporting the local community during lockdown, have been devastated following a ferocious fire at their family home on Friday.

“Thankfully the family managed to escape before the fire completely took the house and all their precious possessions, leaving them homeless and with only the clothes on their back.

“They have a young child and another baby due in a few months.

“The local and wider community are devastated for them and want to help as much as they can to help this lovely, gentle family pick up the pieces of their lives and look to the future.

“Please, if you are able, can you give as much as you can to help this heartbroken family to rebuild their lives.”

Comments online spoke about the family’s generosity, saying they had put“hand written letters” through the letterbox of their neighbours during lockdown with their contact details and offer to help if needed.

To donate to the cause and help out the family at this difficult time, go online to https://gofund. me/1235408c