IT was reduced to a pile of rubble by an explosion that shook a Southampton neighbourhood.

• Family home destroyed in explosion and rebuilt - in pictures >>

Now, a little over a year later, the Sabanal family is looking forward to a quiet Christmas in the comfort of their own home.

Jay, 37, and little Bella, five, were asleep at home in Howards Grove, Shirley, when an enormous blast blew apart their house In November 2015.

They were dragged to safety by neighbours and a horrified Liberty, 37, was working at Southampton General Hospital when she heard the devastating news.

Shortly after the explosion Liberty told the Daily Echo she didn’t want to go back to the house that so nearly killed her husband and daughter.

But now they are on the verge of getting the key to their beloved home back and are looking forward to a bright future.

Daily Echo: Liberty, Jay and Bella Sabanal at their reconstructed home

Liberty said: “We are really excited, although there are mixed emotions.

“We know the neighbours will be there for us because they have done it before, and it’s a very good community here.

“It’s more special and we are very happy with it. Everything that we asked of the insurance people, they have done.”

Liberty and Jay both work at Southampton General Hospital as a nurse and health care worker respectively, while Bella goes to a nearby school in Shirley.

After the blast the community rallied round and provided vital supplies for the family, who were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.

“It’s nice to be back with people that helped us”, said Liberty.