Mum distraught as home burns down and family cat dies in tumble dryer fire

26 January 2023 , 02:27

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The family lost 15-year-old Charlie in the fire (Image: MEN Media)

A mum has told of "breaking down" after her pet cat died and only the "shell" of the family house was left after a fire started by a tumble dryer.

Jade Beaumont, 29, from Cleckheaton, returned from a weekend holiday with husband Simon, 31, and son Jack, three, to find their home in Wigan destroyed last Monday.

She said how the family had lost everything they owned in the fire, including their 15-year-old cat Charlie.

"We have come back to no home, just the shell of the house. Absolutely everything we owned and the home we built is gone," she wrote on Facebook.

"I didn’t hear the smoke alarm until I got to the front door so there was no chance the neighbours would hear. It was bizarre, there was no signs from the outside, the first thing I noticed was the blinds were melted and I completely broke down not even knowing yet how severe the damage was."

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Jade told how her family came home and found their house left as a "shell" (MEN Media)

The devastated mum was told the cat Charlie had died in her sleep due to the smoke and had not suffered, reports Examiner Live.

"Our poor Charlie- Cat who has been part of our family for 15 years didn’t make it. One of the fireman promised us she didn’t suffer or burn but died in her sleep," she said.

The family had left their tumble dryer switched on when they headed out, although it was not in use. Firefighters told the family that this was the cause of the damage.

Jade said: "You never think it’s going to happen to you. I can’t describe how devastated we are, my poor dad’s house and all the work he’s put into it just doesn’t exist anymore. "

An image of the destruction to the house caused by the fire (MEN Media)

The fire was started by a tumble dryer (MEN Media)

Jade went on to thank friends and family for all their kind help, for offering to provide clothes, food, accommodation, painting and decorating services while they go through this difficult period. She's also warned others to make sure they switch off their electrical appliances whenever they leave home.

The mum added: "I’ve spent all day crying, not because of the damage or the belongings but because of the pure kindness my family, friends, friends of friends and complete strangers have shown us! I’m so overwhelmed how much support we have been offered."

Jade's sister Holleigh Jankowicz, 28, has launched a GoFundMe page to help her sister's family through this difficult time.

Holleigh said: "Jade was absolutely distraught and in pieces. It was heartbreaking, she called me up and was just screaming down the phone."

Samuel Port