THREE families made homeless from one of the Island’s worst fires have told their tragic stories of losing everything they ever owned.

Traumatised and tearful, the families have thanked the people of Jersey for their generosity in helping them in their hour of need and say they are very grateful to everyone who has donated money, aid and clothes.

Following the Broadlands lodging house blaze on Monday there has been an overwhelming response, with almost £8,000 given for the fire victims, who were mainly Portuguese and Polish. St Thomas’ Community Hall is also bursting with clothes, children’s toys and other essential household items which people have donated.

Yesterday it was revealed that a spark from a workshop on the site caused the inferno at Mont Fallu, St Peter, which made over 50 people homeless. The blaze, fuelled by exploding gas cylinders, destroyed tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of trucks and machinery at the recycling depot, as well as the adjoining lodging house and staff house used by many of the site workers.

A total of 53 residents have been rehoused and it is believed that many more are staying with friends and family.