'Exceptional' support for fire-hit families
Aja Dodd/BBCA village has rallied round to help families whose homes were badly burnt in a devastating blaze.
In the early hours of 7 December a fire struck five terraced homes in Brotton, near Saltburn, with residents forced to evacuate the area.
Local councillors have been deluged with calls from people offering support and furniture to help those affected while Redcar and Cleveland Council tries to find them accommodation.
Councillor Barry Hunt said it had been "an absolute disaster" but praised the community for being "exceptional".
Hunt said: "The priority is no-one was hurt and the next priority is getting them re-housed and getting some stability back in their lives.
"My heart swells with pride for the public, people are giving when they have not got things themselves."
Mia Brannigan/BBCFellow councillor Graham Cutler said it was a scene of "devastation" when he turned up on Sunday morning.
"All the roofs were burnt across four properties, we have never seen anything like it.
"The homeless team at Redcar and Cleveland Council are trying to find homes for the five families."
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police previously said the fire has been deemed non-suspicious.
The force said: "Emergency services were called to a fire which had spread to four terraced houses on Errington Street in Brotton at around 04.40 GMT on Sunday.
"A number of residents were evacuated, and a cordon was put in place to allow our colleagues at Cleveland Fire Brigade to deal with the fire."
