A family who lost their beloved dog and all their belongings in a Margate house fire this week have received a wave of support from the Thanet community.
The couple and their two young children are currently staying with relatives after their home in Taddy Gardens went up in flames in the early hours on Monday (February 3).
The family, who have asked to stay anonymous to protect their children, now have to wait to be rehoused.
Family friend Hayley Welch has set up a fundraiser to help them ‘rebuild their lives.’
She said: “They are currently awaiting to find a new home, I would like to raise these funds to support them to furnish, and make the new property liveable with essentials, toys and clothing for them and their children
“They are a young family with 2 young children who have lost everything in their home due to a fire.
“They have lost Christmas presents, all their toys, their clothing, their shoes and everything they have built up over the years. Everything they have worked for has gone and would just be very grateful for any support.
“Much more was lost in this fire than just items that can never be replaced and their hearts will be forever broken.”
The family say their dog was a beloved companion, adding: “She wasn’t just a dog, she was our family.”
Thanet residents have rallied to support the family with donations to the fundraiser, which has so far reached £530, and also offers of clothing, toys and household essentials.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to the property in Taddy Gardens at 1.13am and remained until just after 6am as they brought the blaze under control.
Four engines attended the scene and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reel jets and main jets to extinguish the flames.
Surely that’s why you have insurance?!
In this day and age it’s easier to set up a Go Fund Me page than take responsibility for yourself and get house/life insurance.
Insurance companies don’t pay out right away-they need help now.
Have some compassion
I can’t begin to imagine the trauma that a devastating fire like this can cause. No amount of fundraising can replace family heirlooms or pets.
But, for goodness sake, take out household insurance. For an average family home, building and contents is less than £1 a day.
It won’t replace family treasures, but you won’t have to worry about being able to replace beds and bedding, tables, chairs and so on.
Well done, to all these kind and lovely people (and shame on those who just use this to show how “superior” they are!).
Peter Checksfield- I’ve read a lot of your comments and it seems to me that you’re one of the people who likes to show how superior they think they are.
Only those with a real inferiority complex seem to think so.
I don’t have an inferiority complex (why should I?) but I still think Peter Checksfield is someone who likes to think he’s superior to most other people.
I leave all that to my many fans to decide.
My mother in law had a house fire in the early autumn. Insurance company was great in the end but it took months to sort stuff out. I’m not sure why anyone is assuming this family didn’t have insurance, as even if they did they did they presumably need clothes, kids’ toys, and daily essentials inmediately and not when an insurer gets round to reviewing their claim.
I know TDC councillors have commented on here before. I have a genuine question that one of them may be able to answer.
I know nothing about this case other than what is stated above. So have made no assumptions about this particular situation. I hope that they get everything sorted out as soon as possible.
My question is, if a council house tenant is found to be to blame for a fire that destroys their council house. Are they still entitled to be given another one?
What an uncharitable thought Herr Braun!
Of course they would be entitled to rehousing by their landlord. If there was a deliberate cause found that would be investigated and liable to be availed of the justice system. Meanwhile I suggest you give your head a shake and clear out all your evident petty minded prejudices and show some humanity.
Clare: By changing my name to German is it possible that you’ve done little more than highlighted your own “petty minded prejudices”?
Correct me if I’m wrong. By doing so, are you hinting that you believe that I have some Nazi/far right sympathies? I can’t think of any other reason for you choosing German.
If I’m right, I won’t say I find it offensive because I’m not that thin skinned. Maybe distasteful is a better description.
If you’re interested I can give you a brief family history about the 3 members of my Grandparents generation killed fighting the Nazis.
If not, that’s fine.
Have a good weekend.
Herr Braun.
Your curious question could have been directed directly to the Council.
It was an unnecessary adjunct to you comment in the context of this story and a remark associated with other people who in some way believe that people in Council accommodation are probably feckless.
Mentioning your ancestors fighting against the eugenics driven Nazi regime and their subsequent demise, should if anything make you more understanding – but it hasn’t.
Perhaps the super-rish over-eating youtube guy can send them a bit of dosh – or at least buy them a meal?