A family has been left homeless just days before Christmas following a suspected arson attack on their home which killed a pet dog.
Paul Beattie’s sons, Blaine and Cameron, aged 10 and 21, were forced to jump from an upstairs window to escape the inferno.
Ten-year-old Blaine was left suffering 40 per cent burns and is fighting for his life in hospital.
The family from Peterlee, Co Durham, also lost all of their Christmas presents as a result of the blaze.
Blaine is currently being treated in hospital where his condition is described as ‘serious but not life threatening’.
Paul Beattie, left, from Peterlee, Co Durham was working in Asda when his house caught fire
Blaine, pictured, suffered life-changing injuries following the blaze at the home in Peterlee
A man in his mid-20s has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has since been released on bail.
Mr Beattie was working his regular night shift at Asda on December 14 when the fire started in a wheelie-bin just after 1.15am.
It spread to the house causing extensive damage to the upstairs flat where his children lay asleep.
Paula Townley, who has set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to help the family, was at work with Paul when he was told his house was up in flames with his children still inside.
She said: ‘I saw Paul run towards the doors at work, and I’ll never forget the look on his face – he was as white as a sheet and the panic on his face is something I just can’t get out of my head.
‘I said to him I’d rush him to his house but then three police officers turned up in a matter of seconds and took him themselves.
‘He’s absolutely devastated. I don’t think it has fully hit him what has actually happened.
Police have arrested a man in his mid 20s on suspicion of arson following the attack on the house, pictured
Blaine, pictured, is being treated in Newcastle’s Royal Infirmary where he is in a life-threatening condition
‘All he can think about is his kids’ Christmas presents. ‘He keeps telling me about replacing them, buying the oldest son the TV he had originally bought for him and the youngest son some Xbox games – but they don’t even have an Xbox to play them on now with everything being destroyed.
‘I think with everything going on with the house, his son, having to pay for hotels up in Newcastle and taking the bus every day to go to the hospital to see him, it’s so much to take on.’
Blaine remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he is expected to require lengthy treatment. It is understood he has now been moved to the burns unit.
His older brother Cameron suffered minor burns and the effects of smoke inhalation.
A GoFundme page has been established to raise money for the familiy who are now homeless
Paula, with the help of her son, has now set up a GoFundMe page to try to help the Paul and his family get back on their feet.
She added: ‘It’s awful to see what’s happened to Paul and his family, he’s just a single Dad trying to provide for his family – I wanted to try and help them as much as I possibly could.
‘Even a few hundred pounds would help him in some way, I never thought it would get the attention it’s getting now.
‘We’ve raised over six thousand pounds now and Paul truly can’t believe thesupport he’s getting and that people are donating.’
The GoFundMe page caught the attention of ex-Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby, who donated £500.
Paula continued: ‘Although we’ve had some generous donations, especially at this time of year, we need more support.
‘It’s vital that we get as much money raised as possible to help Paul and his family get back on their feet.
‘Even the smallest donation goes a long way.’
Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and are appealing for anyone in the area to come forward to assist.
DCI Lindsay Banks-Brown, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘This was a young boy, who should have been safe in his family home, and whose life will never be the same again.
‘It is an horrendous incident, but frankly it could have been even worse – we could easily have been dealing with a fatal house fire in which a child lost their life.
‘If anyone has any information which can help our enquiry, I would ask them to do the right thing and get in touch with us immediately.’