Bermudian students who lost everything in a fire which destroyed their US college home have spoken for the first time about the horrific incident.

The four women were left with just the clothes on their back after a blaze completely gutted their apartment building at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts early last week.

And one of the girls had to grab her young son and flee the block as the fire spread rapidly.

Makiba Simmons, a 25 year old business administration and sociology major told of her ordeal.

"I dressed my son Saundre, grabbed my bag and coat and went outside. The fire spread rapidly, I just couldn't believe it. I lost just about everything. I was able to save a pair of my two-year-old son's shoes.

"I lost all my immigration documents in the fire. I also lost all my pictures of my mother who died in 1994, as well as my son's baby pictures.

After news of the fire reached the Island, an appeal raised thousands of dollars for the Seventh Day Adventist students.

In addition, South Lancaster residents donated personal items for the girls.

Another Bermudian student, 20-year-old Lynniece Nisbett, returned from a shopping trip to find her home ablaze. Her flatmate had a lucky escape -- she was having a shower when the fire broke out.

"I saw windows popping from the heat and a lot of black smoke. We were only able to get our things from our apartment the next day,'' she said. "If it wasn't for the friendship of our neighbours, looking around and seeing who was missing, the firemen would not have known to go and get her from the building.'' The students, who are due to graduate in May, managed to salvage some of their college work -- but they were the lucky ones.

Michelle Wainwright literally lost everything but the clothes on her back.

"It was when I saw a ball of black smoke coming from my hall window that I realised "this is it, everything was going up in smoke. I left the scene, because I couldn't believe my eyes.'' The college has provided temporary housing for the students, until new homes can be found.

BERMUDIANS BDA