WE’VE LOST EVERYTHING
Mum and baby destitute after blaze horror
A Hamilton mum and her one-year-old baby have lost everything after a deliberate blaze meant all their belongings were destroyed.
Catherine Mcdougall and her little girl Jessica have had to move out of their home and it could be up to six months before they can return.
Emergency services rushed to a block of flats on Quarry Street last week after a fire was deliberately started in a close.
The pair were trapped inside while the emergency services worked to get them to safety. Little Jessica – who suffers from asthma – had to be taken to hospital and was kept in overnight.
Devastated Catherine said: “Everything has been damaged by the smoke. All our clothes and Christmas gifts were ruined.”
A Hamilton mum and her daughter were left homeless after fleeing a horror blaze.
Catherine Mcdougall and her one-year-old daughter Jessica were watching cartoons in their flat in Quarry Street last Tuesday, January 8, when the smell of smoke became apparent.
A couch and a bed that were left at the bottom of the close had been set on fire and the smoke travelled up – meaning Catherine, Jessica, and Jessica’s dad Ross were all trapped on the middle floor.
Catherine said: “I actually thought it was coming from next door. It was about 20 or 25 minutes before we got out. I was in a panic and shock due to the fact I had my daughter with me, and didn’t know what was going to happen and how bad the fire was.
“I kept thinking the worst. If it was just me in the flat I would have got out, but because of Jessica there was no way out till emergency services got there.”
Little Jessica suffers from asthma, which panicked Catherine even more.
The mum added: “The fire was put out eventually and we were taken out through the flat. I had to wrap Jessica around a cover, covering her from the smoke.”
Jessica was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and was kept in overnight as a precaution.
Catherine went on: “She’s fine now, her asthma is playing up a bit but she will be fine.”
All of Catherine and Jessica’s belongings were damaged by the smoke and they have been left with nothing.
The 29-year-old said: “Everything is smoke-damaged. I tried to wash some stuff, but still got the smoky smell. I’m staying on a family member’s couch, which isn’t very suitable for a mother and small child of one.
“All this upheaval doesn’t help matters but we will get there eventually, we just need to start from scratch again.”
She added: “I’m basically homeless, I don’t even have a buggy for my daughter which I rely on, as she’s not yet walking on her own as she has only turned one.”
The Advertiser was saddened to hear that Catherine had lost everything, including a buggy, so we contacted Hamilton baby shop Swaddle, and some others, to see if they could help.
Word got around and the community rallied to help Catherine. Swaddle provided a voucher and clothes for Jessica.
Claire Byrne, who works at Hamilton MSP Christina Mckelvie’s office, donated a buggy and toys, while the Lanarkshire Baby Bank provided a cot for Jessica.
Catherine was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness. She said: “Thank you for all your help and for putting me in touch with Claire – she has been amazing with all this. I am now sorted with a buggy and some toys from Claire, and a cot for Jessica from the baby bank in Carluke.
“Everyone has been amazing. I just need to await the outcome for a place to stay, so fingers crossed I get good news for a house.”
Also affected by the fire in the same block was the volunteer-run Manda Centre, which was left without power for much of the morning.
The charity – which provides vital support for those affected by trauma, loss and personal crisis – had to cancel appointments at the last minute until power resumed.
It is believed the fire began after a couch was set alight. All homes within the block were damaged by the smoke.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Services had to rescue one male after he suffered from smoke inhalation, while three other casualties were assessed on the scene, and Jessica was transported to University Hospital Wishaw with suspected smoke inhalation.
Police say they are treating the fire as criminal and are appealing to anyone with any information to come forward. A spokesperson said: “We received a call around 7.45pm to a block of flats in Quarry Street. It would appear the fire started from a sofa being set alight. A one-yearold child was taken to University Hospital Wishaw for treatment.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”