A DAD fighting for life is still unaware his wife and two children were killed in a house fire 11 days ago - as well-wishers raise more than £22,000 for their funerals.

Justine Collison, 33, daughter Isabella, eight, and son Harvey, five, were killed after the mystery fire tore through the family home in Collingham, Notts.

RAF engineer Gavin, 34, is still fighting for life in hospital, while Justine’s mum Diane Fletcher, 53, who lived with the family, escaped without injuries.

The family’s beloved golden retriever dog also died in the fire, which was speculated to have been caused by a freak Christmas tree accident.

A pal of special needs teaching assistant Justine said: “Gavin is still critically ill and hasn’t yet been told that his family has died.

"Justine’s mum survived without a mark on her but will be emotionally scarred forever.”

Kind-hearted relatives, friends, and members of public touched by the tragedy have donated to a special fund and raised more than £22,500 over Christmas.

Relative Lisa Ball, who set up the Facebook fundraiser in light of “this horrible nightmare,” said: “We are totally blown away by everyone's kindness.

"Any funds raised will go to her husband and her mum to help pay for the funeral costs and to support the family.

"Anything that anyone can donate will be much appreciated."

In an emotional tribute, Lisa, from Paignton, Devon, posted: "Thank you to each and every one if you for your love support and donations from the bottom of our hearts.

"The support we have received has been overwhelming and amazing.

"Our beautiful girl Justine and her babies are so loved.

"We are heartbroken beyond words and are sending our love to Gavin's family and Justine's dad Gerald and his family and everyone else who has been shocked and affected by this horrible nightmare.”

She added: "We would also like to say that the community of Collingham have been amazing beyond words.”

Joanne Gough, who helped set up the page, posted: “The generosity, compassion and love has been immense. We are all so grateful."

Locals speculated the blaze could have been sparked by either dry needles from the family’s Christmas tree being ignited by heat from decorative lights or a faulty oil-fuelled radiator which firefighters removed from the flames ravaged conservatory.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: “As yet we have still not established the cause of the fire.

"Our investigation with Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing. There has been complete speculation about the cause but we cannot say at this stage what happened.

"Nothing has yet been ruled out.”

Messages of condolences have been left in a tribute book at the family’s village church and a local shop has a donations pot on the counter.

The school the siblings attended also paid heartfelt tributes.

Helen Richardson, headteacher at John Blow Primary School in Collingham, described Harvey as “kind, caring and friendly".

She added that he was "very creative, always making models in the craft corner."

Of his elder sister, who was known as Izzy, she said: “She adored her younger brother Harvey, frequently asking at playtime if she and a friend could go and check if he was settling into school.

"It has been a privilege to know and share in Izzy and Harvey’s lives, so unexpectedly cut short and they will remain with warm fondness in our hearts forever."

Neighbour Diane Norton said the inferno which has stunned the close-knit community was “heartbreaking” and “so desperately sad just before Christmas.”

Her husband Paul and son Elliot had frantically been banging on the front door to try and alert the sleeping family after seeing their conservatory engulfed in flames at around 7am.

She said the pair had seen a “traumatised” woman walking out of the blazing house “in a complete daze but without a scratch”, adding: “It is an absolute tragedy and has shocked everyone living in the area.

"Our hearts go out to the poor gran. I can’t imagine anything worse."