THE MUM and wife of the father and daughter caught in the huge blast whch destroyed a Southampton home says her world collapsed when she heard the news.

Nurse Liberty Sabanal today said it is 'a miracle' her four-year-old daughter survived the devastating explosion which has left the family homeless.

The 36-year-old was working a night shift at the time and said her 'world collapsed' when police turned up on her ward.

At 3am the officers told her that her husband Jay, 36, and daughter Bella had been involved in the huge blast.

Mrs Sabanal, who works in neurointensive care at Southampton General Hospital, rushed to her loved ones' bedsides in A&E and waited anxiously as they underwent tests.

She thanked those who went to rescue Jay and Bella, who were discharged this morning and suffered shocked but escaped with no major injuries.

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The family are staying with friends while experts pick through the ruins of their destroyed terraced home, which they bought in 2005.

Mrs Sabanal, originally from the Philippines, said: "My world collapsed as well when I found out the house had collapsed around Jay and Bella.

"I couldn't believe what they were telling me.

"It's a miracle they survived at all, and I was so relieved when Jay had a scan and it was all clear - he's got no fractures and although he's in shock, somehow he's only got a couple of cuts and bruises.

"Bella has been very lucky too, escaping with two cuts and grazes. We're still observing her while she recovers.

"We are all still in shock after the explosion and it's going to take a long time to get over what has happened.

"I'm just so thankful that my baby got out alive. That is all that matters at the moment.

"We have lost all our material possessions but at least I still have the ones I love here with me and at least they are not seriously injured.

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"I don't want to go back to the house which so nearly killed them.

"My husband has mainly been sleeping since and he told me he can't remember much about it.

"What he does remember is waking up in bed and feeling something suffocating him.

"There were blocks from the house on top of his arms and legs and he could hear Bella shouting 'Daddy' and 'Help'.

"He told me he tried desperately to get out from under the rubble but it was impossible.

"Luckily Bella was sleeping in our bed last night otherwise it could have been much worse.

"Her room is near the adjoining wall and it would been much harder to get to her.

"I heard a man rescued them and I'm so thankful to him for saving their lives."

The family are waiting for accommodation to be arranged for them.

Mrs Sabanal thanked emergency services and staff at A&E for their support and staff at the hospital are raising money for them as they have 'nothing left'.

Jay, who she married in 2002, is a health care worker in surgical high dependency at Southampton General Hospital.

They have a mortgage on their house and do not yet know the cost of the damage.

The community is now rallying around to gather clothing and vital supplies for the family.

The city's Filipino community and the Salvation Army branch in Shirley, Southampton, have both started a collection for the family.

Family friend Marivic Palinawam has known Liberty since she first arrived in the city.

She said: "It's a really shocking situation and it has affected their lives so badly.

"You can't imagine what it's like. Christmas is coming and their house is gone.

"We are trying to reach out to the community and do all we can to help.

"A good friend is putting them up but the most important thing is trying to help them as they've got nothing."

A spokeswoman for the Salvation Army in Shirley said: "We are thinking of the family at this time of year.

"And because of what has happened to them, the community wanted to do something to help."