A fundraising page has been launched after a Clarach family “lost everything” in an explosion last week.

Sharna Rhodes, 42, was badly hurt after an explosion and fire at her home.

One of her teenage daughters, Jessica Rhodes, was at work, but her other daughter, Lauren Howell, was at home in her bedroom.

Luckily, Lauren managed to climb out through the rubble largely unscathed.

Sharna’s two friends, Keira Hustings and Tom Speedy, launched a GoFundMe page, on 15 June, to raise money for the family - who were left with nothing but the “clothes they were wearing at the time”.

As of Monday the pair have managed to raise £2,980.

Tom told the Cambrian News: “The explosion has completely destroyed the house, all their possessions are gone, and the family pets were sadly unable to escape.

“They have been left with literally just the clothes they were wearing at the time.

“Friends have rallied together to help, offering support in a variety of ways. We set up the GoFundMe page to provide an easy way for the many, many people offering their support, to contribute.

“It has been truly wonderful to see how the community has come together to support the family since this tragic event!”

While Sharna was badly injured by the blast, Tom said she has remained “incredibly positive”.

“Sharna was taken by air ambulance to Swansea burns units, and has been receiving fantastic treatment from the team there,” Tom added.

“She has been incredibly positive, in light of the severity of the incident. She managed to protect her face from the blast, but did suffer severe burns on her head, hands and body.

“Considering she took the full force of the blast, it is such a blessing that it was not significantly worse.”

Emergency services attended the scene, in Clarach, at around 1.30pm, and a spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service has since confirmed an investigation has been launched into the cause.

Tom said both 16-year-old Jessica and 17-year-old Lauren, who are currently staying with Keira, are “extremely shaken up by the incident” but “like their mother, they have shown incredible strength”.

Tom said they are all “truly overwhelmed by the love and generosity of everybody”.