GENEROUS supporters have handed over more than £600 to help a York family get back on its feet after a devastating house fire.

Fire broke out in their home on Tostig Avenue, Acomb, on Thursday evening, and the flames soon took hold on the first floor of the semi detached home.

Jane Dawson, 49, was out of the house at the time, but her 18-year-old daughter and friend were both in.

Both girls escaped and were taken to York Hospital to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation, and since then the family has seen a surge of support on a JustGiving page set up to help get them back on their feet.

Mrs Dawson’s niece Shelley Allison set up a Just Giving page to try and raise £500 for her relatives to help them buy essentials.

Over the weekend, generous friends and supporters donated more than £600, smashing the original target.

Shelley wrote on the page that the family had lost everything to fire, water and smoke damage.

“I know I would want to help in any way I could and I’m feeling pretty useless but if people could just donate a couple of pound to help them buy some essentials it would mean so much,” she added.

Shelley’s cousin Summer has also thanked people for their support, saying the donations “mean so much” after she and her mother and sister were left with just the clothes on their backs.