A family returned from holiday to find everything they own - including their cat - destroyed in a fire.
When Jade Beaumont, 29, and husband Simon, 31, pulled up outside their home, they immediately sensed something was wrong. Their tumble dryer had caught fire during their weekend break in Yorkshire, and the blaze spread throughout their property.
Their beloved pet cat Charlie died and their property, in Wigan, Greater Manchester, was severely damaged.
Jade, who has a three-year-old son called Jack, said on Facebook she came back to "just the shell of the house" on Monday January 23.
The mum posted: "We have come back to no home, just the shell of the house. Absolutely everything we owned and the home we built is gone.
"I didn’t hear the smoke alarm until I got to the front door so there was no chance the neighbours would hear. It was bizarre, there was no signs from the outside, the first thing I noticed was the blinds were melted and I completely broke down not even knowing yet how severe the damage was."
Speaking to Yorkshire Live, the teaching assistant said: "You never think it’s going to happen to you. I can’t describe how devastated we are, my poor dad’s house and all the work he’s put into it just doesn’t exist anymore."
Firefighters said the cause of the blaze was due to the malfunctioning tumble dryer. The device was switched on when the family left for the trip but it was not in use.
Jade, who had spent the weekend in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, went on to thank friends and family for all their kind help, for offering to provide clothes, food, accommodation, painting and decorating services while they go through this difficult period.
She's also warned others to make sure they switch off their electrical appliances whenever they leave home.
The mum continued: "I’ve spent all day crying, not because of the damage or the belongings but because of the pure kindness my family, friends, friends of friends and complete strangers have shown us.
"I’m so overwhelmed how much support we have been offered."
Jade's sister Holleigh Jankowicz, 28, has launched a Go Fund Me to help her sister's family through this difficult time. Holleigh said: "Jade was absolutely distraught and in pieces.
"It was heartbreaking, she called me up and was just screaming down the phone."
Holleigh is looking to raise a meagre sum of £250 to help out her sister's family, with hopes to get a treat for the family, including toys for young Jack. If you want to help, you can access the crowdfunder here.
