Kennington family loses ‘safe place’ as their home burns down

A mom has stated she watched her “entire life simply go” as her residence was destroyed by hearth simply earlier than Christmas.

Laura, 37, stated her household, from Kennington, Oxfordshire, had been having breakfast and getting ready to go to high school on 11 December when at her husband Toby shouted that the home was on hearth.

The dad and mom and their two autistic sons Joshua, 12, and Jake, 11, managed to get out of their bungalow with solely their pyjamas on. They misplaced two cats within the hearth.

Laura stated it was “heart-breaking” that their “protected place is simply all gone”.

Toby stated the one factor that had been going via his thoughts was: “Simply get out. Get everybody out of the home as quickly as attainable.”

His spouse stated she had seen “three-foot flames, which appeared similar to little orange ripples” exterior her bed room door.

“It is solely slightly bungalow, so between the lounge is the kitchen and the porch entrance door,” Laura stated.

“We obtained caught within the porch due to the smoke and could not see the door to get the important thing to open [it].

“We managed to open a window, which gave as a gust of air, which made us see the lock and managed to get out the home.”

The dad and mom stated the fireplace service arrived “actually rapidly” nevertheless it had “felt like ceaselessly” as they had been watching the fireplace ravage their residence.

“We simply did not know what to do since you suppose you’d seize this, seize that, however you do not – you simply have to get out.

“You simply do not suppose it is ever going to occur to you.”

They stated one among their kittens ran out with them and was saved.

“Sadly, we misplaced two cats within the hearth – a 16-year-old cat and the kitten’s brother.”

Laura stated the street had been busy that morning, with individuals going to or getting back from work.

“Everybody got here and obtained us coats and a few slippers so we did not get so chilly.

“It was the worst day of our life, however… the group of Kennington has been wonderful.

“They have been so heat and welcoming with donations of garments, meals and simply wished to speak to us.”

Laura stated the bungalow had been constructed by her grandmother.

“I have been there sixteen years, so it has been like watching my entire life simply go,” she stated.

“We had a brand new flooring put down and a brand new dishwasher nevertheless it means nothing once I know the boys are OK.

“It is simply heart-breaking to know that [our] protected place is simply all gone.”

The household is now staying with Laura’s grandparents, who reside close by.

“We might’ve gone into emergency lodging however I do not know the place that might have put us,” Laura stated.

“With the boys’ autism and studying disabilities, we wish to preserve it as regular as attainable.”