A club steward lost her mother's ashes during a terrifying blaze which burned down her home and her place of work.
Amanda Findlay was left homeless after the Working's Men's Club in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, went up in flames in December. The 54-year-old, who lived above the club, was just about to go to bed when she noticed a strange smell and smoke in the upstairs bar.
When she went downstairs to investigate, Amanda saw flames behind the bar and rang 999 as she ran outside without any shoes on. Her seven-year-old mini cockerpoo Rags had followed her downstairs and out of the building.
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Amanda cradled her dog as she stood on the street watching the fire spread to her flat during the early hours of the morning. She lost all of her possessions including the ashes of her late mother Sandra Balmer, who died nine years ago, aged 72.
She also lost her auntie's ashes, as well as her tortoise George and precious jewellery which can never be replaced. Amanda, who has two children and two grandchildren, said: "It was my home, it was my job and it was my life.
"Somebody was watching over me that night. If I had gone to sleep I wouldn't have woke up. I can't even think about the fact I might not have got outside.
"I knew there was something wrong. There was a funny smell in the flat and a bit of smoke in the upstairs bar.
"I ran down the stairs and went to my main bar. I looked into the bar and I could see flames behind the bar so I phoned 999. It was terrifying.
"I was just standing outside, I didn't even have shoes on. Luckily Rags came downstairs with me. I'm glad that she follows me everywhere!
"It was surreal. There was a few fire engines and they got the fire under control. Then it fired right up into the concert room. I watched my place burn down and I thought 'what am I going to do?'.
"Even when I wasn't at work I was in and out of the bar talking to people. I'm quite lost without it. It's frightening, but I'm pleased I'm here and I can rebuild."
Following the fire, which broke out during the early hours of December 1, the whole community came together. Amanda said that Martin Campbell, who runs the Black Bull, opened the pub in the middle of the night to support Amanda and neighbours who had been evacuated from their homes.
Terry Christie, 53, who owns The Manor House Inn, let Amanda and six other neighbours stay in the rooms at the pub and provided them with meals. He let Amanda stop in one of the apartments for three weeks.
People in the town helped Amanda to get back on her feet by bringing her money, clothes and items for Rags. Just under £5,000 has also been raised for her on a Gofundme page.
Amanda, who had lived in the flat above the club for two months and did not have home insurance, is currently staying with family and friends. She is hoping to move into a new property soon.
The mum-of-two said: "People are amazing in Haltwhistle. From half eight in the morning there were people bringing me shoes and clothes. They brought me a bed and bowl for my dog.
"Little kids have been sending things to me. They have sent me straighteners and teddies for my dog. One of my friends went out and bought a new coat for my dog. The generosity was overwhelming.
"Terry was absolutely fantastic, he has been an absolute rock. He would have let me stay longer but he was fully booked. I was at the Manor for Christmas, it was strange not being in the club."
ChronicleLive previously reported how the club was a huge part of the community and had hosted many live bands over the years.
Amanda said: "It wasn't just my club, it was the whole town's club. Everybody ended up in the club because it was the biggest place in the town.
"Everybody in this town has a story about the club, whether it's getting together with somebody, breaking up or meeting new friends. Everybody is devastated. People have come up to me, burst out crying and said 'what are we going to do?'
"New Year was the worst. New Year's Day is always massive for Haltwhistle, everyone goes out. You could tell the club was a massive miss."
Six fire engines were called to the venue on Main Street at around 2am on December 1 last year. Roads were taped off by police while and firefighters, sent from Northumberland and Cumbria, tackled the flames.
Neighbours were evacuated in the middle of the night and some residents and local businesses lost their electricity as a result of the incident.
Terry, who is also a Haltwhistle town councillor, asked his chef to come into work during the early hours of the morning to provide the emergency services with breakfast sandwiches.
He said: "When I came along Amanda was stood there in her bare feet and she was heartbroken because her whole life was inside there. There were six or seven displaced residents. I freed up six rooms in the hotel and one of the luxury apartments. Some of the residents were here for two weeks, some were here for 10 days.
"What came out of all of this was the town all came together. it was unbelievable to see that level of compassion and care and support. I have never ever witnessed that level of support.
"There was even kids donating their pocket money to the Gofundme page. I just felt so honoured and humbled to be part of it."
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