A FUNDRAISER has been set up for the victims of a house fire.

The blaze broke out in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Four people had to be rescued from the property in Leicester Villas, Hove, as fire crews from Brighton, Hove and West Sussex tackled the flames.

The roof of the house was destroyed in the 3am blaze.

Now a fundraiser has now been set up to help the victims of the fire.

The JustGiving page raised £520 within 24 hours of being set up.

It says: “We’re raising £2,500 to help support the families affected by the devastating house fire on Leicester Villas, so close to Christmas.

“Please help us raise money for the families involved in the house fire on Leicester Villas, on December 10.

“Imagine the devastation of losing your home and everything in it, so near to Christmas, it’s unimaginable.

“Any donation will help and your kindness would be really appreciated, especially by all those involved.

“Many thanks for your help.”

Many of those who have donated have left good wishes for the victims.

One, Susanna Salts, said: “Wishing the family well and hope this page helps.”

Cherri Hutton said: “Sending all my love to those affected.”

One donor, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Such a terrible thing to happen.

“I hope that this appeal can help the families get back on their feet.”

The fire service said the cause of the blaze was not yet known and an investigation would take place in due course “once the building is deemed safe to enter”.

Karen Young, who lives nearby, witnessed the emergency services’ response to the blaze.

She said: “I only saw from Portland Road when everything was under way.

“I was woken up by my son who was coming off a night shift.

“By the time I went to look, Portland Road and Leicester Villas were filled with emergency vehicles and fire crew.

“You could smell the smoke in the air.”

The fire service’s deputy chief fire officer Mark O’Brien said he was “incredibly proud of the combined efforts at this incident in the early hours”.