A fundraiser started for a young family left motherless after a tragic house fire has raised more than £24,000 in just a few hours.

The mum lost her life and her husband was critically injured after the fire on Cray Avenue on Monday night.

Their children, an 11-year-old girl, and 17-year-old boy, escaped with non-life threatening injures.

The fundraiser was set up by a family friend who wrote: "The children probably lost everything else too in the fire and as their friends we are aiming to raise £15,000 to help the family rebuild their lives.

"Please give as much or as little as you can- every penny helps."

The initial target has already been trumped by almost £10,000 in under 24 hours.

Flowers have been left at the home of tragic Ranjana Gurung, 44, who lost her life in the blaze.

READ: Shocked neighbours pay tribute to mum who died in tragic fire in Orpington

Her daughter, Angel, 11, goes to Perry Hall Primary School and the Parent Teacher Association shared the fundraiser last night.

News Shopper:

Head teacher of the school, Lorraine Richards, wrote to parents: "Angel and her older brother have sustained injuries but have now been discharged from hospital into the care of their extended family.

"Mrs Smith and I have visited Angel this evening and reassured her that, as a school community, we will all pull together to support her in any way we can.

"As you can imagine, many of the children’s and family’s possessions have been destroyed in the fire and people have expressed their wish to contribute financially."

They have been described as a "lovely family" by neighbours who offered their condolences.

The fire, which firefighters were called to at 11.15pm, destroyed the ground floor, fire floor and staircase.

News Shopper has contacted police this morning on an update on its investigation into the fire.