Thank you all so much for your responses and personal stories; they're really helpful.

We've been to see Daphne & John tonight (they're staying with one of their sons who also lives in our street). The story filled the front page of the local newspaper today, and many people have got in touch to offer help and to express their outrage and sympathy; Daphne said "I never knew we had so many friends".

All the windows are now securely boarded up now, making it as black as a tomb inside. A structural engineer is yet to come and survey the damage, but the insurance company loss assessor said it was one of the worst cases he's ever seen. A total rebuild still seems on the cards. Carrie & Phil's house is severely smoke damaged throughout.

I'll keep this thread updated with any new developments, meanwhile, Merry Christmas to all.

Julie B