A woman had to be stopped from running into her burning house to rescue children’s toys and photographs as the property was engulfed by a fierce fire.
Colin Smith and Linda Selvey and their two children have been left homeless by the devastating blaze at the stone villa near Carrbridge.
But the local community is rallying round them and hundreds of pounds have already been raised to help them pay for their lost possessions.
Last night, thirty-six-year-old Ms Selvey said the family has been “left with nothing”.
And she revealed she had to be restrained to stop her from running in to the house to try to save sentimental items.
She and Mr Smith, 47, have been staying at the Carrbridge Hotel with their sons Jamie, 9, and four-year-old Robbie.
The couple went on a shopping trip to Inverness yesterday to buy toys for the boys.
The were all out on Friday when the blaze broke out in the house at Mullochard.
Ms Selvey was travelling on the A9 Inverness-Perth road near Balinluig when she received a call telling her that their home of five years was on fire.
She said: “Colin was at the house and he phoned me crying so I knew it was bad.
“I didn’t go straight to the house, I was taken into the local pub. I was so shaken.
“I went out to the house later on and emotion got the better of me.
“I tried to get into the house to try and get some of the children’s toys or photographs, sentimental things.
“There’s nothing left, it’s all gone.”
Ms Selvey was held back by her tree surgeon partner Mr Smith and firefighters who were still at the scene.
She praised the way her children had copes with the shock of the incident, especially her son Jamie.
She said: “He’s been a real trooper. All he has cared about is looking after me.
“He’s been amazing.”
She also thanked the community of Carrbridge for rallying behind the family – and for donating to an online fundraising page to help them replace some of their possessions.
Ms Selvey added: “We would like to thank the firefighters who were there and everyone in Carrbridge who has helped us.
“It’s been a really fantastic community spirit. I don’t know how we would have made it through the last few days without all the help we’ve had.”
The emergency services were called to the house shortly before 2pm on Friday after the fire was spotted.
It is believed it started in the roof space of the property, and the family think it may have been caused by an electrical fault.
The fierce blaze caused extensive damage to the country house, which sits off the minor road between Carrbridge and Dulnain.
Dozens of firefighters from Aviemore, Kingussie and Inverness spent hours trying to bring the fire under control.
Despite their efforts, the roof of the property collapsed in the intense heat.
The blaze was the second major fire in Strathspey in recent months.
The nearby tourist attraction Speyside Heather Centre, near Dulnain Bridge, was almost completely destroyed in a huge blaze in April.
Donations to help replace the family’s possessions can be made at www.gofundme.com/2t738pek.
