Jade Beaumont pulled up outside her Wigan home after enjoying a weekend away with her family. Almost immediately, the mum-of-one sensed something was wrong.
The 29-year-old noticed the blinds looked awry. Upon closer inspection, they had completely melted. That's when the painful realisation began to sink in.
While the family were away enjoying their break in Yorkshire, their tumble dryer caught fire and spread throughout the property. The blaze was so devastating it destroyed everything they own - including their beloved pet cat Charlie.
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Jade, who lives with husband Simon, 31, and son Jack, three, can recall the moment she returned home on the evening of January 23.
"We have come back to no home, just the shell of the house. Absolutely everything we owned and the home we built is gone," Jade, who was about to start working as a teaching assistant, said.
"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."
The devastated mum was told her 15-year-old cat Charlie had died in her sleep due to the smoke and had not suffered.
The family had left their tumble dryer switched on when they'd left for Cleckheaton, although it was not in use. Firefighters told the family that this was the cause of the damage, Yorkshire Live reports.
Jade said: "You never think it’s going to happen to you. I can’t describe how devastated we are."
Jade 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 added: "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 Gofundme 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 £250 to help out her sister's family. If you want to help, you can access the crowdfunder here.
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