A young family that "lost everything" in Monday's suspected gas explosion will be among those supported at a fundraising coffee morning in Carnkie this Saturday.

Villagers are rallying behind the families of the four neighbouring houses damaged when two explosions - believed to be gas cylinders going up - went off in the bungalow of 71-year-old Michael Coddington at 12.30am.

Among those worst affected was the home of Holly Whymark and her partner Rory, who live there with their two young children, Ruben and Amber, who will be one next week.

For Ruben, his fifth birthday - also on Monday - is one he will never forget, after he was carried out of the house by a policeman and sung 'Happy Birthday' to by his neighbours.

For his mum Holly, however, the situation is a living nightmare. She was on her own in the house with her two young children at the time of the explosion, as Rory works away at sea on an oil rig.

He was making his way home yesterday, while Holly and the children stayed with their in-laws who have just moved into the village, although a lack of space means they will need to find alternative arrangements soon.

Her friend Jess Curtis, who is behind Saturday's fundraising coffee morning, said: "They're left with nothing.

"But they're lucky to be alive, that's all they're worried about."

Ruben's room, closest to the blast site, is completely out of bounds due to being so badly damaged.

There are holes in the roof and ceilings have come down, meaning that while a few bin bags of items have been salvaged from inside, they are unable to enter property due to fears for the stability of part of the roof.

What has been saved is water damaged, due to being rained on all night.

"They've got no toys. It's the little things that will make a difference to the kids," said Jess.

To help the family, along with the others affected - including the couple whose bungalow adjoins the explosion site, who are now missing half their home - a coffee morning will take place at Carnkie Village Hall on Saturday, between 10am and noon, which Jess hopes the whole village and wider community will get involved in.

Promoting the event on Facebook, Jess wrote: "A family with two little ones has lost everything. A couple have lost their clothes and home. We are holding a coffee morning for the whole village to come together and support all the families affected in this week's devastating explosion and get some fundraising together."

She told the Packet that the money raised would be split between all the families affected.

An online fundraising page has also been set up for donations, at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carnkieexplosion.