A York family lost their home, all their belongings and life savings in cash in a devastating house fire on Monday.
Pam and Wayne Grimshaw rented the house on Northam-York Road with their daughter Sophie and two dogs.
Ms Grimshaw had taken her daughter and two dogs with her to the shops, only to hear about the fire from a local resident.
“I had a phone call from a local who went past and saw smoke billowing out,” Ms Grimshaw said.
“She asked if I had the dogs and as soon as she said that, I knew it was bad.
“Then she said it's gone...It had just taken just a minute or two.”
The fire started at around 10am and was attended by the York and Northam Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigades, who contained the fire to the block.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said the damage was extensive, making it hard to determine the cause.
Ms Grimshaw was devastated.
“It is an empty feeling.
"We have absolutely nothing. Our safe with money, that is all gone – melted. All our life savings, passports, birth certificates, everything.”
The family does not have insurance.
