PEOPLE in Chepstow have rallied around a family left devastated by an arson attack on their home last week.

The Argus reported on how Pamela and Robert Dumayne and their children were made homeless after a fire ripped through their St Ewens Road home.

The fire on Sunday, November 10, started in their shed and spread to their house, causing severe smoke damage inside.

The family lost nearly all of their possessions but are being helped by the local community.

Carol Ranford, supervisor at Spar on Bulwark Road, went to school with Mrs Dumayne and has collected between £100 and £200 for the family at the shop.

Ms Ranford said: “They deserve something done for them. If I was in that situation I’d like to think others would do the same.

Mrs Dumayne said the money will be used for food and clothes for the children.

She said: “We would not have got through this without the support of the community.”

Donna Brinkley, who used to work with Mrs Dumayne, said they are a lovely family.

She will be placing collection boxes for the family in other shops in Chepstow.

Mr and Mrs Dumayne returned to their house yesterday to salvage what they could.

The couple, who live with their children Ryan, 16, Joshua, 13, Katie, 12, and 18-year-old Christopher Davies, lost “irreplaceable” items including a CD with photos from when they recently renewed their wedding vows.

They also lost important items reminding them of their 14-year-old daughter Hannah, who died suddenly from an epileptic fit in April 2004.

The family’s cat Honey disappeared having not returned to the house since the fire.

The family are currently living in a bed and breakfast in Chepstow, arranged by Monmouthshire Housing Association.

The Association, which owns the house, is in the process of finding some temporary accommodation for the family and plans to find a permanent four-bedroom house in Bulwark for the family to move into after Christmas.

Gwent Police arrested two 15-year-old boys and two 13-year-old boys from the local area on suspicion of arson.

They were released on police bail and police said enquiries are still ongoing.