Hi we are the Rawson family, (Nic, Bill, Morley (11), Brody (8) and Betsy the dog). Around 3am on Tuesday 23rd of September we experienced every family’s worst nightmare, we were awoken by the smoke alarms and the smell of smoke. Full story continues at end.

We rent the house we love and call our home, the landlords have buildings insurance that will cover the repairs to the electrics and the structural work and are going to cover the cost of an alternative place to stay for us while the work is done.

Luckily the fire damage is localised to the cupboard, hallway and immediate areas around there. However the smoke damage is extensive and widespread throughout. We do not have contents insurance , which I’m giving myself a very hard time about.

So this is what I’m asking for help with please. We need to discard every item of food in the house that’s EVERYTHING all the way down to salt, spices and sauces. Toiletries need discarding, all our soft furnishings need replacing including mattresses and bedding, our fridge freezer was in the cupboard where the fire was so this will definitely need replacing. We will also need a lot of cleaning products and equipment as my supply, mops and Hoover were in that cupboard too. Maybe even need to hire some air purifiers or something if needed and anything else that comes up once we are allowed home. Luckily clothes etc can be washed so they can be safely saved , thank you to those who have been doing washing for us and to others who have offered to.

We have to be especially careful and thorough as Morley has Asthma which is severe at times and makes him quite poorly.

We have been blown away by all the support and offers of help and I feel that having help with the cost of all these items would help us the most. We are just an ‘normal’ family, we have a small amount of money saved for our family holiday’s spending money (we go in October) but this cost will have a massive impact on us and will delay us being able to go home safely.

So if anyone can donate just a small amount it will really help us with these expenses. Any amount we get will only be used on these things and if we did get more than we need I would donate it to charity.

Full story continued-

Bill went downstairs first followed by Morley as I got Brody up, he could see the smoke was coming from the under stairs cupboard, when he opened the door he saw the central electric unit on fire looking like “a ball of lava”. We all acted quickly and went outside and dialled 999. Bill went to get our lovely family dog Betsy who was scared and ran upstairs, he instinctively followed her and managed to carry her downstairs and outside, he said the difference in the amount of smoke from chasing Betsy upstairs to seconds later coming back down was extreme.

We all made it safely outside safely thank god, realising none of us had shoes on and in very minimal clothing (poor Brody just in his pants) we got the the car and sat in it on the street watching the smoke pour out while we waited for the fire service. It felt like forever at the time but it was a matter of minutes before a fire engine arrived. The children and the dog sat in the car for 2 +hours with me and Bill getting in and out talking to the firefighters. Bill had to be medically assessed as he took on the most smoke and he had to go to hospital to get checked over as paramedics could see black soot in his airways.

Once the fire was fully extinguished and the electricity was capped off to the house and made safe a firefighter escorted me in the house very briefly to get minimal basic items and then it was time to go. I took the boys and Betsy to my mum’s house although she was working her night shift, Bill was at the hospital a few hours and we just sat in shock. Bill was assessed and given the all clear to be discharged around 10.30. I made sure the kids and the dog were ok and just wandered about until a decent hour when people were awake and places were open for me to start calling and sorting out what to do next.

We are currently stuck in limbo waiting for the insurance company etc and in the meantime everything is unsettled and uncertain for us. We spent 2 nights in a single room in a Travelodge and we are now in an Airbnb but not sure if/when we will have to move again. We are trying to keep everything as close to normal routine as we can for the kids which is hard. We are living out of a bag and buying food on the go which is super expensive and stressful. Betsy has been with us through everything and is our amazing comfort. She’s awesome.

Thank you so much if you read our story and if you can donate any amount thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ♥️

Nic

Remember to check your smoke alarms, shut your doors and know your escape plan. These things absolutely saved our lives. Big special thank you to Ashfield fire station firefighters, you are amazing!!!