Family 'devastated' after fire destroys house
The house was severely damaged by a fire on Friday
- Published
A family has been left "devastated" after a fire destroyed their home and all their belongings.
Amanda Harrison said she had to evacuate her house, in Parkes Close, Coddington, after seeing sparks coming from a fuse box.
Within 10 minutes, the house was alight and firefighters tackled 300C (572F) conditions to douse the flames.
Mrs Harrison said if the fire had started during the night, her family would not have "got out alive".
The 36-year-old was at home with two of her four children when the fire started at about 14:30 BST on Friday.
She said her dog started barking before she heard "crackles and pops" coming from a fuse box underneath her stairs.
The family are now staying at the home of John Harrison's parents
"I went to the cupboard under the stairs, and I could physically see there were sparks coming out of the fuse box," she said.
"Within 10 seconds, I shouted to the children that they needed to get out because there was a fire.
"As I went to shut the door after we left, I saw the box burst into flames."
The fire service arrived within 10 minutes, but by that time, smoke was billowing from the house.
Mrs Harrison said the damage was "devastating".
"As a foster child, all I used to have was a black bag to take around from place to place," she said.
"So possessions to me are really important.
"To me, it's devastating, but it's also devastating for the children as well."
Ongoing investigation
The family are now living with family but have been offered a new home by Newark and Sherwood District Council, who owned the home.
Lee Brazier, portfolio holder for housing said the council is "saddened and distressed" to hear of the fire.
"We take our responsibility to our tenants seriously," he said.
"The fire and rescue service’s investigation is ongoing, and we await the outcome of the experts report to understand how and why this happened.
"Our housing team is supporting the tenants through this understandably distressing time, and we are working to secure them alternative accommodation locally as soon as possible and signposting to local support services to help replace the belongings they have lost."
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were approached for comment.
Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, external, on X, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external or via WhatsApp, external on 0808 100 2210.