A CHRISTMAS appeal has been made to raise funds to help a West Somerset mother and son left homeless after their flat was partially destroyed by fire.

The pair managed to escape without injury when the blaze took hold in their flat in Callins View, Alcombe, Minehead, on Thursday night (November 28).

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) said a candle was thought to have set alight furniture in the living room of the flat in the early hours of the morning.

Two fire engines from Minehead and one from Porlock were sent to tackle the blaze as well as a DSFR operational assurance officer.

A DSFR spokesperson said the alarm was sounded at about 12.54am and the lounge suffered ‘severe fire damage’ in what was considered an accidental fire.

Now, George Williams, whose son lived in the flat, has started on online appeal to raise £2,500 to help the family manage in the run-up to Christmas while an insurance claim was being sorted.

Mr Williams said: “Their flat caught fire, literally damaging the whole front room, completely blacked out, everything more or less damaged and burnt and is unsalvageable.

“They are now left with literally nothing as everything is going to be smoke damaged or even more.

“They both got out safely, and just before Christmas this is very disheartening.

“My son is disheartened and upset, he is such a brave brave boy.

“This would mean the world to them both if the community tried to put a little something together to help them.”

The appeal, which can be found here, has already raised £270 toward the target.

Firefighters who attended said the property was a two-storey domestic residence and they were able to confirm all the occupants and neighbours were safe.

They tackled the blaze using breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet and a safety jet to put out the flames and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the property of smoke, while checking for any hotspots with a thermal imaging camera.

The incident took nearly three hours before the fire crews were ready to leave.