A family who escaped a late-night fire that gutted their rented home have been forced to live apart in the run-up to Christmas.
Lara Slaney, her partner and sons, aged three and 13, have been homeless since a faulty heater sparked the blaze in Leicester on November 12.
The 31-year-old mum and her youngest son, Cody, are staying with her parents, Wendell and Frankie, while her eldest son, Zack, lives with a friend and her partner stays at his mum's.
Lara told LeicestershireLive that the family are looking for a new property to rent privately or from the council, but nothing is available and they are struggling to scrap together a £700 deposit.
The mum said: “We’d lived in the property we were in for 18 months and got it at a good price because it was through a friend.
“But we’ve looked around at private rented places and we’d struggle to scrape together a deposit or pay the £600 to £700 rent properties are fetching and there’s nothing available in this area.
“We approached the council for a property, but that was delayed because we lost all my identity documents in the fire and we’ve only just got the go-ahead this week to bid for properties on the council’s housing register.”
She added: “As it stands, we’re planning on spending Christmas at my parents, but there’s not much room.”
Lara, who doesn't work, is her son Cody's carer and is awaiting another operation in May to correct club feet.
She said: "It’s a nightmare. My eldest son is staying at a friend’s house.
“He was always brilliant at school, but now we’re having problems with him because he’s got no routine or structure in his life.”
She added: “I’ve been ringing and emailing the council who got back to me on Friday to say I can start bidding on properties.
“There are at least four houses available on Eyres Monsell that would be suitable.
“We haven’t intentionally made ourselves homeless and we’ve got good references from private landlords we’ve rented from.”
A furniture and goods company, thanks to an old school friend employed there, has donated beds, sofas and other items to help the family get back on their feet.
Lara said: “The company donated everything to kit out a whole house. All we need now is the house to put it in.
“People on the estate have been marvellous too and many have donated white goods, we just need a cooker.”
People have also donated clothing and gifts for the boys, who lost the presents they were given for their birthdays just weeks before the fire.
A city council spokesman said: “We currently have more than 6,000 people on our housing register waiting for a council property, but only have around 1,200 homes becoming available for let each year.
“We always advise people to look for a private sector rented property at the same time as bidding for council properties, even if they are a Band 1 priority.
“In some cases we can help with the deposit for a private property if this will prevent someone’s homelessness.”
