A FAMILY left devastated after losing everything in a house fire have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.

Mum-of-three Nicola Walker made a desperate plea for help after her Runcorn home was gutted in a blaze.

The bedrooms of her children, Alex, 16, Emma-Lynn, 13 and three-year-old Laci were destroyed and the rest of the house was damaged by smoke.

In less than 24 hours, strangers had donated everything she needed including beds, wardrobes and clothing.

Wellwishers even replaced the children’s laptops and provided televisions, a computer, sofa, bedding, towels, kitchen equipment and toys.

“I was heartbroken,” said Nicola, 34, of Petersgate, Murdishaw.

“I couldn’t speak as I was phoning the fire brigade.

“We lost absolutely everything from upstairs. Due to all the smoke and heat everything melted.

“Everything in the loft went as well, all our memories, photographs and things we had when the children were babies.”

Laci raised the alarm shortly after 2.30pm on Wednesday when she went up to her bedroom.

“She started screaming for her sister,” said Nicola.

“There was thick black smoke. Alex’s window blew in and shattered.”

Nicola and her daughters escaped unhurt as firefighters tackled the blaze.

In desperation, she posted this appeal on social media: “We have suffered today from a house fire and my three kids have lost everything.

“All their clothes, personal belongings, furniture, absolutely everything.

“I can’t afford to replace it all so in desperate need of help.”

Her SOS was spotted by Runcorn mum Carol McEvoy, from The Grange, a ward manager at Warrington Hospital.

Carol said: “When I saw this post I wondered if anything could be done for this lovely family.

“I don’t know them but it is so very sad. I wanted to help.

“It was wonderful the way people rallied round.”

Nicola, who lives with her partner Neil Wood, 43, a mechanic, said: “I would love to say a big thank you to the community for all their help.

“It was amazing. My phone never stopped ringing.

“I was in tears crying, upset that the kids had lost everything rather than me losing stuff.

“We would be have been struggling for months to afford things if people hadn’t helped.”

Nicola and her children have been staying with various relatives and move into a temporary home in Compass Close today (Wednesday).

Liverpool Housing trust has found them a property nearby so Emma-Lynn can stay at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy and Laci can remain at Gorsewood Pre School.

“I’ve gone through a whole mixture of emotions but I am now so happy and relieved,” added Nicola.

“People we don’t even know donated everything we need to start again.

“It restores your faith in humanity.

“I can now stop stressing and we can all be together again as a family.”

An investigation is being carried out to find out what caused the fire to start in Laci’s bedroom on the third floor.