RESIDENTS in Bury are pulling together to help a family after a mum and dad were killed in a fatal house fire.

56-year-old Mohammed Awad aged 56, and his wife, 47-year-old Hasma Awad, who had lived in Walmersley Road, Bury for seven years up to 2008, died at the scene in the blaze in Withington on Friday.

Their four children, three girls and one boy, aged between 10 and 17, and their uncle, were taken to hospital, where they remain after having no choice but to jump out of the bedroom window.

All survived but are said to have several severe injuries including broken bones.

Their uncle, who was dragged out by emergency services after he suffered a heart attack, is also recovering in hospital.

Police are not treating the fire as suspicious but investigators are still trying to find out the cause of the blaze.

Now numerous friends of the family have set up a JustGiving page to support the children through this difficult period, with over £6,000 being raised already.

Nasser Afzal, 43, of Ainsworth Road, Bury, who is a friend of the family, said: “It’s deeply saddening and shocking to hear of the tragedy.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family during this very difficult time.

“Nothing will ever replace their loss but as a community we would like to come together to help the children rebuild their lives.

“I’d encourage people to visit the JustGiving page and contribute as much or as little as they can.”

The older brother of the four children, Zaid Awad, 29, who lives in Bury, is a popular member of the community and friends say they want to help out in any way possible.

Another close friend Faisal Masjid, 28, of Walmersley Road, said: “Zaid is popular and well known in Bury.

“The house fire has left him and his younger siblings without their parents. The family are in our thoughts and prayers.

“As a community we feel the least we can do to help is set up a JustGiving page to support the financially during this tremendously difficult period.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.

To donate to the JustGiving page click here - www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nasser-afzal