A mother recounts the horror of escaping a house fire with her children, losing everything in the process and feeling utterly devastated.
Wythenshawe: Carly Thompson, a mum of two, is sharing her heartbreaking experience after a fire destroyed her home. She was just chilling with her kids when everything changed.
It was a regular Tuesday afternoon when the fire broke out. Carly was with her son Jolan, eight, and daughter Billie Rose, two, when the chaos began. Jolan had just come home from school and went for a snack when the fire alarm blared.
She rushed to the kitchen and saw flames near the boiler. Panic set in as she realized how quickly things were getting out of control. Jolan, who has autism, ran upstairs and locked himself in the bathroom. Carly managed to get both kids out and to a neighbor’s house for safety.
Thanks to the neighbor’s quick thinking, the living room was saved, but the kitchen was a total loss. The fire crews arrived fast, but most of their belongings were gone. Now, they’re staying at Carly’s mum’s place while they figure out what to do next.
Carly vividly remembers the moment she saw the flames. She felt her heart racing and just wanted to get her kids out. “I broke down in absolute tears, just watching my house burn. It was horrific,” she said.
She spent a night in the hospital for smoke inhalation and is still trying to process everything. “I think I’m still a bit numb. I saw the house yesterday and it really threw me,” she added.
With only the clothes on their backs, Carly and her kids are feeling the stress of their situation. They’re all crammed into her mum’s two-bedroom house, which is tough for everyone.
To help her family, Carly set up a GoFundMe page. The support has been overwhelming, with friends, family, and even her son’s teacher stepping in to help. “It’s mind-blowing,” she said.
She’s heartbroken about losing her home, especially since it’s going to take a year to fix. “I love that house and the area. I have a good support network here,” she shared.
Right now, everything feels uncertain. Carly is trying to cope with the loss and the changes, especially for her kids. “I’ve come to terms with the fact I’ve lost my house, but I’m distraught for my kids,” she said.
