A mum is "distraught and in pieces" after coming home to find her home had burnt down and her cat had died in a blaze started by their tumble dryer.
Jade Beaumont, 29, had been on a weekend away with her husband Simon, 31, and son Jack, three. The family returned to their home in Wigan after visiting friends on Monday, January 23, but were heartbroken to find that the home they had left in one piece was now just a "shell of a house".
The first thing the mum noticed was that the blinds had melted, with reality setting in as she ventured further into the burnt house. Taking to Facebook to share the news, Jade said: "We have come back to no home, just a shell of the house. Absolutely everything we owned and the home we built is gone.
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"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."
The family's 15-year-old cat, Charlie, died during the blaze. The broken mum was told Charlie died in her sleep due to smoke inhalation, with the adored pet not suffering.
The family left the home for their break away with the tumble dryer switched on, although not in use. Firefighters broke the news to the family that this was the cause of the fire, Yorkshire Live reports.
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."
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 Go Fund Me 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."
Holleigh is looking to raise a meagre sum of £250 to help out her sister's family, with hopes to get a treat for the family, including toys for young Jack. If you want to help, you can access the crowdfunder here.
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