Huddersfield family 'left with nothing' after fire hail 'amazing' community response


A Huddersfield mum has thanked kind-hearted people who have supported her and her two sons following a devastating house fire.

Demi and her sons, aged five and 13, managed to escape the smoke and flames which destroyed their home in Waterloo Rise, Waterloo, along with most of their possessions. They were standing in the street in shock with only the clothes they had on as their house and belongings were destroyed.

Sadly, their four-year-old dog, Nellie, died after being rescued from the house. Firefighters laid Nellie on her side and performed CPR and gave her oxygen but she could not be saved.

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Demi's sister, who asked not to be named, said the family wanted to thank everyone who had helped out since Tuesday evening's blaze, which is thought to have started in the kitchen. She said kind-hearted people and a local school had been 'amazing'.

More than £3,000 has been donated to a Go Fund Me appeal and countless people have provided clothes for Demi and her sons. The fund can be found here.

The sister said Demi was thankful for everyone's help, including the firefighters who had tried to save Nellie, and a neighbour who had gone back into the burning building twice to rescue the beloved family pet.

A second dog Narla was saved, but sadly Nellie had panicked during the fire and had run back into the house and had gone upstairs, she added.

Four-year-old Nellie died following a house fire in Waterloo Rise, Waterloo, Huddersfield
Four-year-old Nellie died following a house fire in Waterloo Rise, Waterloo, Huddersfield

"We want to thank everybody for how kind they have been," Demi's sister told Yorkshire Live. "We have had messages about places to stay and a lady offered all her furniture from her holiday home for when Demi gets another house.

"She can't believe how kind everyone has been. She is overcome by it." And the family praised the bravery of a neighbour who went into their house twice to try to rescue Nellie.

Adding: "He went in once and came back out and went to get a towel. Demi was outside holding her little boy. She told (the neighbour) not to put himself in harm."

Following the fire, a friend set up a Go Fund Me page to help the family. More than 150 people have donated to the fund so far. Joanne Wharam, who set it up, said she was thankful Demi and her boys had got out of the house safely.

She wrote: "Demi had a house fire thank god she got her and the kids out safe sadly her fur baby Nellie passed away from smoke inhalation.

"Demi and the boys came out with just what they were wearing, please help as much as you can they are now without anything thankyou for reading."

Aftermath of devastating house fire in Waterloo Rise, Huddersfield, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Aftermath of devastating house fire in Waterloo Rise, Huddersfield, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024

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