A MUM has been left homeless when her flat flooded and then caught fire after she was made redundant as she went into labour with twins.

       Carly Breslin, 37, went into labour on December 4, 2020 - and was made redundant at the company she had been working at for 20 years on the same day.

       4

       A mum-of-five was left homeless when her flat flooded in July last year Credit: SWNS 4

       The flat later caught fire while the family were waiting to be rehoused from the hotel rooms Credit: Carly Breslin

       The mum and her kids aged 14, seven, three and newborn were living on the top floor of a new build in Islington north London until the extreme weather last summer turned their lives upside down.

       A roof leak ended up flooding the children’s bedroom during the July flash floods, forcing the family into temporary homelessness while they waited to be rehoused.

       The mum-of-five said: “Water was pouring through the ceiling and you couldn’t empty the buckets quick enough. They had to cut a hole in the ceiling to release the pressure.

       "Then black mould was found behind the furniture and the flat was just deemed uninhabitable.”

       What she could salvage she stored in a different part of the property away from the water damage, along with her kids' Christmas presents.

       While waiting to be rehoused, Carly and her five children have been living in two rooms at the hotel in Angel, just a mile away from their family home.

       Most read in News

       RED ALERT Suspected Chinese agent caught targeting Westminster in major spy scandal

       DEATH RIDDLE Mystery as BBC reporter found dead next to partner's body in double tragedy

       SNOW WAY OUT Andrew 'set to pay ￡10m from Swiss chalet sale to settle sex abuse suit'

       CLINGING ON PM fighting for job as grovelling apology for lockdown-breaking party is panned

       But during the wait, their old flat caught fire on Christmas Eve, destroying the little they had left along with the presents.

       Carly said: "It was around 3 am on Christmas morning when I woke up to lots of missed calls from two of my old neighbours who told me the flat was on fire and I just couldn't believe it.

       "The Christmas presents had been ruined by the fire, and of the ones we managed to save, they smelt of smoke and were covered in black soot.

       "My little girl said that 'Father Christmas had gone down lots of chimneys' because she could smell the smoke, so I went with that story because I didn't want to worry them."

       Carly explained that she decided to try and make the best out of the worst situation but she has been overwhelmed at what had happened.

       She added: "It was Christmas and all I wanted was for them to have a nice day after going through so much upset, so making it special was quite important for me.

       "I've tried to keep things away from them as much as possible and they did end up really enjoying the day, despite what happened.

       "I had to go away to wipe my tears and come back pretending I was okay."

       The family is still unsure what caused the fire and is waiting for an investigation to take place.

       Writing on the GoFundMe page, Carly's mum Tracie said: "Carly was devastated when she saw the damage to everything she owned, if it wasn't burnt or melted it had smoke damage.

       "If we could at least try and get a little bit of help it would go a long way for Carly and the children. They have been through so much this year.

       "We are all so grateful for all your support at this unbearable time. All your messages have meant so much and have filled our hearts!"

       4

       Carly said all she wanted was for her kids to have a nice Christmas after going through so much upset Credit: Carly Breslin 4

       A fire broke out on Christmas Eve and ripped through what was left of the family home Credit: Carly Breslin