People in Thanet have shown a huge response of kindness to an appeal after a mum and five children lost their home, belongings and Christmas presents in a devastating fire at the weekend.
Originally from Margate, Charlotte Brown, her two children and three youngsters she now cares for since her friend’s death, had been living at a home in Ash.
But on Sunday a fire ripped through the premises, causing widespread damage to the bungalow and everything in it, including gifts that had been stored in the loft.
Friends shared an appeal to try and help Charlotte and the youngsters – Finnley aged 9, Maddison,12, Dylan,13, Joe,15, and 17-yearold Lily – and met with an amazing response.
A post in the New Thanet Chat facebook group brought offers of clothes, toys, Christmas Eve boxes and balloons and a free lane at the Christmas disco at Bugsy’s Bowling in Cliftonville. A post about accommodation was also made.
The family luckily all escaped unhurt from the blaze on December 8 but, they are now split up, staying with various family members, while Charlotte tries to organise something to reunite the family in time for Christmas.
Charlotte said: “We’ve all lost everything apart from the clothes on our backs and a car but we’re all safe and everything else is replaceable.
“It is just a s*** time for it to happen and be homeless and I’m heartbroken everything I’ve ever owned is just gone!
“I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support, the calls, the messages, everything. It means more than anything for me and all the kids.”
Friend Bex Evans has set up a fundraiser to try and help the family. On the page she says: “Not only have they lost their home and belongings, they have also lost all the Christmas presents they had for the children. At the moment the family have had to split up so they all have somewhere to stay.
“I am starting this gofundme to try and get them something to help them get back on their feet, and hopefully enjoy their Christmas the best they can.”
The family were renting and did not have insurance to cover their belongings. The fundraiser has a £3000 target with some £2,000+ already raised.
Kent Fire & Rescue Service was called to the blaze at 10.36am on Sunday and did not finish at the scene until 12.48pm.
A KFRS spokesperson said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called at 10.36am on Sunday 8 December to Glebelands in Ash to reports of a bungalow on fire.
“Three fire engines and a height vehicle attended and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire, which started in the roof of the property.
“There were no reported injuries, and the cause is believed to be accidental”
Awful. Hope this family are back on their feet soon 🤞
A very sad story. A terrible thing to happen just before Christmas.
A lesson that still needs to be learned: contents insurance costs far, far less than replacing the contents.
Get insured.
A Terrible thing to happen, anytime,not just before Christmas, Phyllis.
Absolutely.
Hi I can agree that insurance is cheaper than replacing the items, that is if you have the money.
For years I have urged authorities to make it compulsory for Landlords to have “Contents” insurance for their tenants, why not?
do you want even HIGHER rents?
Yes not impressed, if its means tenants don’t lose all their belongings due to floods, fire, and other catastrophise. I remember around 1996 or so when I lived in Folkestone, and there was a terrible flood due to heavy rain, and a spring tide, which meant surface water couldn’t get away through the storm drains. It flooded dozens, and dozens of basement flats, most of which were rented! It was a fluke storm, but it caused no end of misery all due to lack of contents insurance. Contents insurance would cost probably less than a £5.00 a week for peace of mind!
Where’s Ash? by the way.
Ewan, between Wingham and Sandwich.
Thank you HD 👍