It's enough to make you want to skip the milk and cookies and don rubber gloves and protective clothing on Christmas Eve.

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When the trains came to a stop, cinders and soot from the locomotive's fire box rained down on the splintered wooden planks, clothing, Christmas gifts and human remains.

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All three homes were demolished: Christmas ornaments, children's toys, clothing, household items and just about everything else that makes up a home were strewn about.

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For Christmas, my father gave me some very generous clothing gift certificates.

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Christmas has also been less than kind to budget clothing retailer Matalan as its shares fell 6% to 195p, before rallying slightly to close at 202p, after it announced sales rose just 1% over the festive period.

BBC: Mixed fortunes for UK retailers

The clothing chain saw a 2.7% drop in Autumn and pre-Christmas sales at its High Street stores, although this was offset by a big jump in sales at its online business.

BBC: John Lewis sees 'outstanding' Christmas sales