Residents are left in shock following a “dreadful” fire that ripped through a family home last night.

Occupants of a King George Road house were evacuated last night as around 30 firefighters worked through the night to contain the fire affecting two houses.

Road closures were in place around the residential street after fire crews were called to the blaze shortly before 9pm, and stayed until around 3am according to eyewitnesses.

One King George Road neighbour said: “It was dreadful, the worst thing I have seen in my life.

“I have never seen so many people down one street, everyone was trying to help everyone, questioning what going on, what is happening.

“It’s very shocking, I feel for the family I want the best for them and to get what they need.”

The neighbour, who is also a friend of the family is now hoping to set up a way of helping her friends replace all that they have lost.

Fire services called to the house at around 6.30am this morning to check the house and board up the windows.

The household and their children are now not allowed to go back inside and are currently staying with other family while the neighbours are looking after their two cats.

The neighbour added: “She hasn’t seen the state of her house yet, I’m thinking of a way of setting something up for the kids, doing anything to help, collecting children’s clothes and maybe having a collection point in town.

“I’m just glad everyone’s safe.”

Investigations are continuing as to how the fire started but the cause is not known at this time.

More to follow...