Family will get up homeless on Christmas after tumble dryer hearth devastation
Claire Sayonas, 39, was at home with her youngest daughter when she heard a “little pop” from the kitchen before the devastating blaze ripped through her Anfield home
A family faces spending Christmas Day without a roof over their heads after a tumble dryer blaze tore through their property.
Claire Sayonas, 39, her partner and two daughters were getting ready for the festive season at their Anfield home in Liverpool when disaster struck on December 11. Claire was indoors with her youngest daughter, Daisy, 16, when she detected a “little pop” coming from the kitchen.
Initially dismissing the sound, Claire assumed one of her two cats might have knocked something over. After spotting her house becoming “little hazy”, Claire dashed into her kitchen and switched off the tumble dryer, which didn’t appear to be ablaze, reports the Express.
But when she pulled open the water drawer, “smoke came gushing out”.
Shouting for her daughter, who was having a shower, Claire swiftly moved her dog and cats into a room for safety before desperately calling 999.
Claire and Daisy found themselves standing on the pavement when fire crews turned up within minutes of her emergency call.
Equipped with breathing gear, four firefighters charged into the two-storey terraced house on Sleepers Hill.
The fire service passed Claire’s dog out through a window.
Her two cats were missing during the drama but were subsequently discovered inside the property, safe and sound.
“The firefighters were absolutely amazing through it all. Neighbours took us in, and people I’d never spoken to brought out clothes for my daughter,” Claire told the Liverpool Echo. A representative for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reported: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was in attendance at an incident on Sleepers Hill, Liverpool on Thursday, 11 December.
“Crews were alerted at 6.15pm and were on scene five minutes later. Three fire engines attended. On arrival, firefighters were met with a fire in the ground-floor kitchen of a two-storey terraced property. Two occupants had already evacuated the property before the Fire Service arrived.
“Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus with hose reel jets were deployed to locate and extinguish the fire. Once the fire was put out, gas and electricity were isolated and mechanical ventilation of the property took place.
“Home Fire Safety Checks were completed on adjacent properties after they were checked for fire and smoke spread. MFRS left the scene at 7.52pm.”
Tragically, the family, who are doing their best to stay upbeat, have lost items that “cannot be replaced”.
Claire shared her heartbreak: “It’s heartbreaking. Anything that wasn’t burnt in the fire is smoke-damaged. We all have autism, and the sudden change has been incredibly hard for us.
“We are trying so hard to stay positive but we are struggling massively.”
Social landlord Your Housing has stepped in to provide temporary accommodation for the family, which includes Claire’s partner Jack Wood, 32, and daughter Jay Sayonas, 18.
A representative for Your Housing Group expressed their sympathy, stating: “We’re very sorry to hear about the fire at Claire’s home and understand how upsetting this is, especially at this time of year. Our priority has been to make sure Claire and her family are safe and supported.”
They further assured that they have arranged temporary accommodation and will continue to support the family, adding: “We’ve arranged temporary accommodation and will continue working closely with them to provide the help they need while we plan for their longer-term housing.”
