A FAMILY who were left homeless after a house fire destroyed everything they owned have been given a glimmer of hope this week.
That's after the Newquay community and farther afield rallied around to offer them furniture and even donations to help them get back onto their feet.
The blaze ripped through Paul Anderson's family home near Fraddon and destroyed all the contents.
Without the right insurance, the family of seven and three dogs were left with nothing and are currently living at Trevelgue Holiday Park in Newquay.
But several people unbeknown to the family have rallied to offer furniture, household items and even cheque donations in a bid to help them – with one person even offering a house for them to rent.
Trisha Warne of Wadebridge has offered to send the family a cheque for £20.
She told the Cornish Guardian: "I have not got any furniture to offer them so that is the main reason I am offering money.
"If they have lost everything they will always need something. I have done some charity work and I have seen what it is like for people who have nothing."
Other gifts offered have ranged from sofas in "excellent" condition, televisions, curtains, bedding, bed settees and even a house to rent.
Mr Anderson, who lived at the Parka Road property on St Columb Road with his partner Christine Wingfield and their family, intends to personally thank every person for their kind generosity.
The 50-year-old, who manages California Bowl in Newquay, said: "It is really, really, really nice.
"The main thing is getting a house so we can get sorted. Living in two caravans is not ideal. You have no space at all to do anything."
The family are still looking for a new home to move to, but say they're finding it difficult because of the time of year.
Mr Anderson had arrived home to see smoke billowing from the three-storey property at around 1.45pm on July 20. Firefighters from Newquay and St Columb got the fire under control by 2.25pm.
Mr Anderson said they had been unaware of the need to buy contents insurance, believing it was handled before they moved into the privately-rented house.
No one was in at the time of the fire, which the fire service has determined was accidental.
Anyone who knows of a 'dog-friendly' property to rent, preferably in the Newquay or St Austell area, with a minimum of three bedrooms is asked to contact Hollie Bone on 01872 247440.
