Family left feeling 'numb' after fire destroys home

Essex Police and fire crews were called to a blaze at Treebeard Copse in South Woodham Ferrers in Essex at 17:15 BST on Wednesday

A mother-of-two said she was left feeling "numb" after her family home was destroyed in a fire.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at Treebeard Copse in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, at 17:15 BST on Wednesday.

A 34-year-old man was arrested after the fire spread to eight terraced houses.

Chelsea Rawlinson said her sons and partner had spent the last two days in a hotel, adding: "It hasn't fully sunk in and I feel emotional."

The family moved into their home just three weeks before the fire and Ms Rawlinson said the incident had also made her feel angry.

"It was just starting to feel like home for our family, we were happy and now we have nothing," she said.

"We had just put the TVs on the wall, just finished painting, the kids' beds were set up - everything was just set up."

Since the fire she said: "We only have the clothes on our backs.

"Everything we owned and worked hard for was in that property, our whole life was in that property.

"I don't know when we are able to go back into the property to get everything because my dad's ashes are in there."

A spokesperson for Essex Police said the fire is being treated as an isolated incident and investigations are in the early stages.

South Woodham Ferrers Town Council has set up a rest centre at Champions Manor Hall in Hullbridge Road for anyone who needs support, the fire service said.