A TRAUMATISED mother fled for her life clutching three cherished photographs of her children as the family watched the rest of their most prized possessions going up in smoke.

The woman, who does not wish to be identified, hasn’t been able to sleep since a blaze broke out in their detached home in Hillmeadow, Verwood, on Friday night.

A close friend, who is comforting the mother-of-four at a secret address, told the Daily Echo: “We’ve known each other 22 years and are more like sisters than friends.

“She is absolutely devastated and totally traumatised by what has happened. My friend and her four sons are fine physically but she has lost a lifetime of memories.

“Her youngest son has been having nightmares since the fire and she has been trying to support him while attempting to come to terms with watching her home of ten years going up in flames. Apart from three recent photographs of the children, she has lost the lot.”

The fire is believed to have started in a bedroom at around 8.40pm. It destroyed part of the roof.

Friends and neighbours are now rallying around the woman who is living in temporary accommodation. Her friend said: “We have set up the Verwood Fire Appeal on Facebook.

“The whole house was gutted so she needs everything and we are happy to come and collect larger items. It’s a case of just taking it one day at a time but people have been very generous.”

Donations to the Verwood Fire Appeal can be made via an open group on Facebook headed ‘Donations – mother of 4 loses everything in house fire’ or by phoning the Daily Echo newsdesk on 01202 296502.