Fire forces Barnstaple family to split up and put disabled child into care

A family from Barnstaple has been forced to split up and put their disabled child into respite care after fire ruined their home.

The family of four escaped the fire without injury but a neighbour says they have lost everything, with the worst damage to their severely disabled daughter's specially adapted bedroom.

This has forced them to send her into temporary respite care.

Kara Preston has set up a fundraising page which has raised hundreds of pounds within a few hours to help her neighbours.

Fire incident commander Kevin Patterson said two fire engines initially attended the fire on Thursday 2 April.

He added: "The officer in charge asked for a third appliance which came from Braunton.

"Ultimately they did a good job in preventing too much damage. The damage was pretty much contained to the first floor and a bit of damage to the roof space.

"There were people inside at the time. I believe smoke alarms alerted them to the fire and they managed to all get out before we arrived.

"They are fine."