Mum describes moment she got call saying ‘your house is on fire!’
SHE DID NOT KNOW IF HER THREE KIDS WERE SAFE
DAMPING DOWN: The fire turned out to be in a shed – but £2,500 of property was destroyed
A MUM has described the moment she got a call telling her her house was on fire.
Victoria Ward was starting her shift at Leicester Royal Infirmary when she got a call from her neighbour, who was looking after her three children.
“I was just about to start my shift when I got the call at about 9.45am,” said the mortuary assistant technical officer.
“My friend said ‘It’s on fire. It’s on fire. You’ve got to come home now.’
“My mind was racing. I did not know what was on fire. I did not know if my kids were okay.
“I was frantic. I just got home as quickly as I could.”
Victoria, 29, got to her house in Blossom Road, Braunstone.
She said: “When I pulled up I could not see any fire engines. I ran into the house and all the kids were there and fine.
“I looked out into the back garden and there were firefighters there. My shed was on fire and they were trying to put it out.
“The shed went up in flames and inside were the three new kids’ bikes and all my garden tools, which included a strimmer and a lawn mower.
“The fire also spread to the playhouse inside which had lots of the children’s toys.
“Two electric scooters next to the shed were also destroyed.
“All in all I think I have lost things worth £2,500 and I was not insured.”
Victoria, who also works as a crematorium officer at Gilroes, said her children, aged 10, seven and three, are upset at losing their bikes, playhouse and toys.
“I told them that the bikes and toys are just possessions and can be replaced,” she said.
“I said they are precious and cannot be replaced and they are okay.”
Victoria’s friend Sophie Burns has set up a gofundme site to try to raise some money to help. “She does not deserve such bad luck,” said Sophie, who lives nearby.
“Victoria is a key worker and single mum. She has been working all through the coronavirus lockdown and has been working really hard, as she always does. “I hope people can afford to give a little so we can help her replace the stuff she has lost through no faulty of her own.”
The fire service said the blaze was caused by a neighbouring garden fire that got out of control.
It destroyed two sheds, a greenhouse and a section of fencing.
■ To donate to the appeal, which has so far raised more than £450, go to:
My mind was racing. I was frantic. I just got home as quickly as I could.
Victoria Ward