Doctors say all four teenagers are making "steady progress"

Kimberley Patterson, 15, and Nadine Farden, 14, were in the home of sisters Anya, 15, and Kira Evans, 14, in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.

They suffered serious burns and have had 10 major skin grafts between them at Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Kimberley and Nadine are progressing so well they are likely to go home soon.

Medical staff said the schoolgirls were lucky to escape with their lives when the fire ripped through the house in Old Castle Road on 17 December.

But they have improved greatly and Kira, Nadine and Kimberley are now able to walk short distances.

I want to thank the hospital staff for all they have done, and all the messages of support from so many people Katreen Patterson, Kimberley's mother

Katreen Patterson, Kimberley's mother, described her relief at her daughter's progress, saying she was "overwhelmed" when she saw her walk for the first time.

"It is wonderful to see Kim coming on so well.

"The best moment for me was seeing her walk down the corridor towards me. I wasn't expecting it and I started crying - I was overwhelmed"

She added: "I want to thank the hospital staff for all they have done, and all the messages of support from so many people, including strangers.

With serious burns injuries cases, patients are not admitted for a couple of days, treated and then discharged Burns consultant William Dickson

"It has really helped us over the past few weeks."

Kira and Anya's parents also praised the medical teams in Swansea and Cardiff's paediatric intensive care unit, where Anya is receiving specialist treatment for her breathing, saying they were "overjoyed" at the girls' improvement.

The family will celebrate Christmas when both daughters are finally home.

Their mother Margo Cassel said: "My husband Paul and myself are looking forward to being able to take the girls home, where we will have our Christmas, and Anya's 15th birthday, together with their nine-year old sister, Selina."

She thanked the hospital staff who has treated the girls, and well-wishers from as far afield as New Zealand who have also sent the cards and presents.

The director of the burns centre at Morriston, consultant William Dickson, said the teenagers were receiving the best care available.

"There is a huge team effort involved in helping to get the girls well," Mr Dickson said.

"It is not just surgery. There is the intensive care aspect, ventilatory support, anaesthetics, specialist nursing staff, nutritional support, and intensive rehabilitation."

Mr Dickson said his medical teams began the process of rehabilitation from the first day the girls were admitted.

Flames and smoke pour from the roof at the height of the blaze

"When they were unconscious on their ventilators, splints were put on their limbs and specialist burns therapists ensured their fingers and toes were moved and exercised," he explained.

"This is a crucial part of burns management to ensure suppleness and to maximise function."

However, the medical teams said all the teenagers would need prolonged care.

"With serious burns injuries cases, patients are not admitted for a couple of days, treated and then discharged," said Mr Dickson.

"Some may need more operations in the future, and they will all need to be reviewed as out-patients until they are at least 18 or 19 years old."

The cause of the fire which gutted the first floor of the mid-terraced house is still being investigated.