A DISABLED grandma placed in a ‘hovel’ after a major fire left her home uninhabitable has received a plethora of donations following a call for help.

Janet Devereux was left homeless after a fire broke out in Barrow’s Salthouse Road on June 22.

Crews from across Cumbria were called to the incident which affected multiple properties at the intersection of Salthouse Road and Marsh Street, several of which have since been deemed ‘uninhabitable’.

A 30-year-old man from Barrow has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Janet – a grandma-of-six – lost all her possessions in the fire and was living in a Travelodge until Westmorland and Furness Council placed her in emergency housing.

However the 57-year-old was ‘absolutely shocked’ at the state of the property she was given in Blake Street, which had no hot water or carpets.

Barrow mum Jo Holmes heard about Janet’s situation via social media and reached out to offer some help.

Jo launched a fundraiser to help provide Janet with basic necessities like carpets and paint to make her emergency housing into a home.

Hundreds of pounds were donated to the fundraiser, allowing Jo to fund carpets and paint for the property.

Carpet World kindly provided and fitted carpets at a low-cost price, and the fundraiser helped pay for paints and a decorator, helping to make Janet’s house a home.

Jo said: “When I went round the flat to donate some bits as I heard Janet had lost everything, I was shocked by the condition the flat was given to a disabled vulnerable lady who had lost everything in a house fire.

“So I couldn't walk away without trying to help. I had never met Janet before but I could see how upset she was and that she really did not know where to start or how to make her flat liveable.

READ MORE: Barrow grandma given 'hovel' house after losing home in fire

“So I set up a Go Fund Me page to ask for help and what we did manage to raise wasn't quite enough to carpet and lino and fit the place so Carpet World kindly gave us the carpets and lino at a low-cost price and came and fitted it.

“This was paid for from the money kindly donated and we also managed to pay for a decorator and buy the paints.

“Janet is a very grateful lady and she really does appreciate what the community has done for her. I am so honoured to live in Barrow where everyone supports each other.

“A special thanks to Matt Waddington as he helped us with moving some furniture for free too which took up his free time.”

A Westmorland and Furness Council spokesman previously said the council is fully aware of the current condition of the property and will continue to support the tenant and ensure assistance is available whenever appropriate.