A fundraising appeal has been set up to help a family of seven that has lost everything in a devastating house fire just days before Christmas.

The fire broke out at Ruan Minor just after 11.30pm last night (Saturday) and resulted in the house being fully engulfed in flames.

The family, a mum, named locally as Lisa-marie Williams, with six children, aged between 14 and one, have been left with just the clothes on their backs.

Ruan Minor Village Hall is open from from 1pm today (Sunday), with more times to be coordinated over the coming days, for people to drop off items needed. 

These include boys clothes for 14, 12, 10, five and one years old, and girls clothes for aged six, as well as toiletries, bedding and anything else of use in the immediate aftermath. 

A fundraiser has also been set up by the Sparkle Foundation to support them.

Leigh Yates, the charity's founder to has begun the fundraising appeal, said: "Tonight a family of seven's home was burnt to the ground in a devastating house fire.

"A lone mum got her six children aged 14, 12, 11, six, five and a baby aged one out and to safety.

"They are safe but have lost everything.

"They watched as their home was ravaged by the fire in just the clothes on their back. They are completely traumatised.

"They are going to need a great deal of support to rebuild their lives. We are appealing for financial support for them.

"Thankfully they are all safe and survived but they have no home and the fire destroyed everything.

"I don't know how they will come to terms with this but I know we can help.

"The Sparkle Foundation and The Sparkle Academy UK will help them with your support, please give what you can."

She said the Sparkle Foundation page on Facebook would be updated shortly to list the items they need in the immediate future.

People can donate via text by texting the word FAMILYCHRISTMAS followed by your donation amount to 70450 to give that amount.

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from the charity. If you would like to donate but don't wish to hear more, text the word FAMILYCHRISTMASNOINFO instead.

Posting on Facebook her grandmother Helen Mitchell said: "Please support the lovely Lisa and her six gorgeous children. Thankfully they all made it to safety but they will be traumatised from witnessing that. We have an amazing community, we need to all pull together now and look after one of our own."

Cornwall Fire and Rescue said the first call about the fire was received at 11.32pm, with firefighters from Mullion and Helston, along with a fire officer, sent initially.

On arrival they called for back up, which came from St Keverne, Falmouth and Tolvaddon, along with a further officer.

Firefighters on scene confirmed a detached, three-storey house was alight.

Three main jets were used by firefighters in breathing equipment to try and battle the flames, but sadly the fire had taken hold and has been left gutted.