Mum wants second-hand appliance checks after fire

Ms Bratt hopes to raise awareness of smoke alarms and the dangers of second-hand appliances

A mother has warned people to check their second-hand appliances after a "devastating" fire in her Nottinghamshire home.

Faye Marie Bratt, 45, described the "horrible experience" she and her family went through after their house in Clipstone was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of 27 August.

She is now hoping to raise awareness of the importance of smoke alarms and the need to check second-hand appliances for electrical safety.

The family are having to live separately as a result of the fire, and a friend has launched a fundraiser to help them out, raising more than £3,500 so far.

Faye Marie Bratt and her family lost everything in the blaze

Ms Bratt, who lived at the house with her three children and one grandchild, said: “You never expect it to happen to yourself so when it does, it’s devastating.

"We’re all finding it quite difficult. But we’re all in good spirits and staying positive.

"The help that we’ve had in the community has been outstanding and I want to thank everyone who has rallied around, that’s donated clothes, toys and even money. It’s been absolutely mind-blowing."

Ms Bratt has thanked everyone who donated toys, clothes and money to her family since the fire

She said she had been up since 04:00 BST on the day of the fire, as she was getting ready to go on a walk.

Ms Bratt said she heard the smoke alarms going off downstairs and found her kitchen "full of smoke".

"I quickly ran, screaming to get my children up and awake and get them out as quickly and as safely as I could," she told the BBC.

As her son was previously on oxygen, Ms Bratt said she had to be "on the ball" with smoke alarms and checked them every month.

She said: “I will be trying to see if we can put something in place for the future, making awareness of smoke alarms and buying second hand appliances, because you just don’t know.

“Everything will be switched off overnight or when I’m not there because it’s really put the fear in me."

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire has been deemed as accidental.

"Sadly, due to the severe damage as a result of the fire, we have been unable to find exactly what caused the fire," a spokesperson added.