A Halesowen family have been left "devastated" and "homeless" after a severe fire ripped through and gutted their home and killed their pet dog - and they were not insured.

Paul and Sharron Cappella's home in Teme Road has been totally ruined in the blaze, which firefighters believe was started in their first floor kitchen, with only their 16-year-old daughter Rachel's room surviving the flames.

Luckily none of the family were in the house at the time but the couple's 11-year-old son Paul left for school less than half an hour before the flames were spotted by neighbours.

However the family's pet rat Ratty and their beloved Staffordshire bull terrier Molly were caught up in the flames and had both died before firefighters could save them.

Holding back the tears, a distraught Sharron said: "I can just about cope with the house, but I can't cope with what's happened to Molly. Although we only had her for five years she was part of the family, she was like a third child to us.

"I keep thinking how she was in the fire, was she trying to get out? Was she frightened? If only a door or a window had been open she could have got out."

Not only have the forlorn family lost their home, its entire contents and their much-loved pets but they also received a further blow when they found their house insurance had expired and they were not covered for the damage.

Forty-year-old Paul said: "We are devastated.

"I have no clue as to what we do.

"We are homeless at the moment.

"We have lost everything, it is all either burnt or smoke damaged.

"We have got to go to Dudley Council Plus and declare ourselves homeless but we don't know what will happen."

Neighbours have rallied round collecting money for the family, who say they have been overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown to them. Over £100 has already been raised to help them and they have been promised plasterers to help them re-do their home.

Neighbour Lisa Garratt said: "They are a really lovely family, and it is so sad this has happened to them, we are such a close knit community and everybody wants to help them."

Forty-three-year-old Sharron said: "You see these things on the television but you never think it is going to happen to you."

A council spokesman said: "A housing advice officer will be meeting with the couple to assess their needs and offer support where appropriate."

If you would like to help the Cappellas call Paul on 0772 721 2640.