THE family of a Saline woman who lost her life tragically in a house fire say they are overwhelmed by donations they have received. 

An appeal set up in Gail Lamb’s memory after she died on August 24 has raised more than £4,500. 

As the Press revealed last month, devoted wife Gail stayed in her burning home at Easter Craig Gardens even when neighbours were trying desperately to save her because she couldn’t bear to leave her husband, Derek. 

Unknown to Gail, Derek (pictured with Gail, right) had escaped their property through a back window where he was shouting for help. 

Stunned villagers left dozens of floral tributes for the popular 55-year-old and more than 500 people attended her funeral at Dunfermline Crematorium on September 5. 

Daughter Melissa, 35, said: “Honestly, we don’t know how we are going to thank everyone enough for their generosity, it’s just overwhelming. 

“Her funeral was just beautiful and there was also a collection there so there’s even more than £4,500. 

“There were a few tears but lots of laughter and that’s exactly how she would have wanted everyone to be.

“We don’t have a clue what we are going to do with the money or what we’ll use it for, it’s not even something we have discussed yet. 

“I think it should really be up to Derek. 

“We’re waiting for a survey to check out the house and we’ll just play it by ear what happens from there. 

“Derek is still staying with friends and family and he’s not sure if he wants to go back. 

“I think deep down he does want to go back, and I hope he does, but it’s obviously painful.”

Emergency services were called out to Easter Craig Gardens just after 10.40pm on August 24 as neighbours were alerted to the fire. 

It’s understood that the source of the fire was caused by an electrical appliance in the downstairs kitchen.

When Gail and Derek, who had been asleep, woke up they found they couldn’t even get down the stairs as the whole of the ground floor was engulfed. 

The house has been boarded up since then and neighbours said smoke had also blackened parts of their properties. 

Melissa added: “Somehow, I still don’t think it’s real. So many things have happened since, I haven’t really had time to think. 

“In a strange wa,y it’s like my mum is telling me to not grieve for her.”
Since her mum’s death, Melissa’s 20-month-old son had a seizure which saw him taken to hospital, although, thankfully, doctors think it was just caused by an infection and is nothing more serious. 
Melissa has also been suffering from extreme back pain which she has been told is due to stress. 

“You should see me walking around, it’s like I’m pregnant!” she added. 

“It feels like it’s just been one thing after the other. 

“My children talk about their grandma every day and I think they find it hard when they walk past her house but they’re resilient and I know they will be fine.

“My mum’s neighbour as just moved back into her flat, she tells me she keeps expecting to see her. I just don’t think it’s sunk in for anyone yet.”