A family from Kennington, Oxfordshire, lost everything in a house fire just before Christmas. Laura, 37, was having breakfast with her husband Toby and their two autistic sons, Joshua, 12, and Jake, 11, when they heard Toby’s shouts that the house was on fire. They managed to escape with just their pyjamas before the fire destroyed their bungalow, built by Laura’s grandmother. They lost two cats in the fire.
Laura said the family got stuck in the porch and struggled to find the key to get out as there was so much smoke. However, they managed to open a window and get out with the help of the smoke’s gust of air. The fire service arrived quickly, but it felt like forever to the family as they watched their home burning.
The community of Kennington came together to offer support to the family. Laura said people came to give them coats and slippers, donations of clothes and food were brought to them. The family wants to keep life as normal as possible for their two sons after the fire, so they are staying with Laura’s grandparents nearby.
Despite the devastation, Laura said the boys were their priority, and staying in a familiar environment would help. Emergency accommodation was available, but they did not want to move as their children have autism and learning disabilities. Laura added, “We had a new floor put down and a new dishwasher but it means nothing when I know the boys are okay. It’s just heart-breaking to know that our safe place is just all gone.”
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