A mother whose flat was destroyed in the Meriden tower fire says her children are "broken" after having to flee for their lives naked.
Holly Hughes, 24, who lives on the first floor of the Abbey View tower block, says her three children are now afraid of returning to living in a flat, loud noises, and anything that smells like smoke.
Reflecting on the fire, Holly said: “A burning smell hit me, I thought it was in my home, then the black smoked poured through my flat and the next thing I saw was the sofa underneath my flat was alight.
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“I just grabbed my kids out of bed and ran, we started banging on doors and we all evacuated as fast as we could."
Best friend Charlotte Delaney, who also lives on the first floor, has set up a fundraiser to try and help Holly put her life back together.
The blaze totally destroyed her flat, along with toys, clothes, bedding and carpets.
Holly added: “The community have been amazing, they have donated so much stuff for me and my children, they brought my children clothes when we were evacuated onto the field as my children were naked.”
Holly and her three children are currently staying with family, but the housing association says it has found accommodation which will be ready in a few weeks.
She continued: “I’m thankful for the fire alarms working and the fire brigade getting here quickly, I’m thankful for the community coming together to help support us, thankful for the police for returning to the property to grab sentimental items.
“I’m just thankful in general that me and my children are alive, but it’s going to be a long process for us all to recover.
“I’m very grateful for the fundraiser that has been set up to help us rebuild our lives as Charlotte didn’t need to do that."
Speaking about the fundraiser Charlotte said: “We want to help them rebuild their lives.
“She is such an amazing friend, it’s not nice to see your best friend go through this.
“I am absolutely heartbroken.”
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