Family home devastated after toy catches fire on Christmas Day

A mother whose home was devastated when a toy car battery started a fire on Christmas Day has said she is "not sure what I've got left".

Sherianne Wood, 41, and her two sons Evan,13, and Blake, six, had to escape from their flat in Caerwent, Monmouthshire, when the blaze started in one of the children's bedrooms at about 20:30 GMT.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it believed the blaze was "caused by a remote-control charging lithium battery unit" for a toy car, which was one of the boys' Christmas presents.

Ms Wood said the family was traumatised and called for more awareness about the dangers of rechargeable battery units.

Before the fire, Christmas Day had been "absolute perfection up until that point", she said.

As the fire took hold, Ms Wood leapt into action to save her family.

"I grabbed my sons and ran round the block of flats screaming for everyone to get out," she said.

"I had to go back in twice after to get my dogs. The children were behind me screaming 'don't go back in'. It was absolutely horrific."

The family was helped by the fire service to retrieve medication from the flat, but seeing the damage was traumatic, said Ms Wood.

"I don't think much is salvageable. Nothing can be reclaimed if I'm honest with you," she said.

"My poor son had such bad anxiety, he wanted us to get away from there, it's like he's suffering from PTSD.

"My youngest is completely mentally scared, mentally damaged from it. The children won't want to go back.

"You take on your children's heartbreak."

The family are currently living in a hotel as they wait for the fire service to assess the full extent of the damage to their home.

Since the incident, a crowdfunder set up to support them has received more than £3,500 in donations.

Ms Wood said she has been "completely overwhelmed by the kindness of friends, family and complete strangers".

"People are being so incredible. I never thought I'd receive so much love and care. As a family we are deeply grateful," she said.

She added she wants to warn other families about the dangers of rechargeable battery units.

"I don't want anyone to go through what we've been through, it's so distressing," she said.

"If I can help anyone to be more careful, that'd be great. People are buying these big batteries, and not being warned about how dangerous they are.

"Does someone need to die before they're more careful with the safety aspects of them? Awareness needs to be spread."