Single mum's 'nightmare' after fire at neighbour's house leaves her homeless and struggling to feed three kids

A single mum-of-three has spoken of her 'hell' after a devastating blaze at her neighbour's house left her homeless and struggling to feed her three children.

Natalie Oakes, mum of Delilah, nine, Harvey, seven, who has autism, and Mila, three, along with neighbour Millie have been living out of a suitcase since the blaze broke out, near Nantwich in Cheshire.

The fire broke out in a neighbouring property on August 10, causing serious damage, and also causing structural and smoke damage to Millie and Natalie's homes. The properties have been left uninhabitable until safety checks and any necessary repairs are made.

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After the blaze, firefighters had been unable to get in touch with the Peaks and Plains Housing Trust which owns Natalie's house and part-owns Millie's through the shared ownership scheme, leaving the pair homeless with nowhere for them and the three children to sleep, Cheshire Live reports.

"We are going through hell right now," Millie said.

Firefighters contacted a local homeless shelter following the blaze where the two friends and children were able to have a shower and get some sleep. The friends, who were also given hot chocolates and had their phones charged by the kind-hearted firefighters, have since been moved around various different accommodation.

They sofa surfed at houses of friends or relatives for a few nights as well as being found some hotel accommodation by the housing association but claim this was wholly unsuitable for a family with young children, one of whom has autism.

Millie added: "It's been over a week now and we are really struggling. Natalie and I have stuck together to support each other and