A woman suffering from a terminal illness lost everything in a devastating fire that engulfed her home after a small refrigerator caught fire, leading her to escape with her granddaughter. The fire erupted in Jeanette Charlton’s residence late on Tuesday, September 9, when the fridge in a bedroom suddenly ignited. Despite battling advanced breast cancer that has now spread to her spine, Jeanette managed to rescue the family’s two dogs before evacuating the house with her 12-year-old granddaughter, Taylor. Distressing images taken post-fire reveal a completely ravaged home, with all possessions destroyed and rooms charred by smoke.
Taylor, who was asleep when the fire broke out, realized the danger upon waking up to use the restroom and witnessing the flames. Jeanette’s daughter, Sophie Charlton, expressed heartbreak over the situation, stating that Taylor has lost everything, including her phone. The upper floor sustained extensive damage, with Taylor’s bedroom completely burnt, and the bathroom ceiling collapsed due to the heat.
Having previously overcome breast cancer and a stroke before being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Jeanette had no insurance for the rented property she lived in for several years. Currently residing at her mother’s house, Jeanette and Taylor are struggling to find a new home, especially due to their two dogs complicating the search.
Sophie mentioned that despite Taylor trying to cope through humor, the situation is immensely unfair for a young child left with nothing. The fire destroyed Taylor’s school uniform, but Polam Hall School has generously provided her with a new uniform at no cost and offered support until she settles back into school.
A fundraising page on GoFundMe has been set up by the family to assist in replacing Taylor’s belongings and aiding Jeanette in rebuilding her life. The Mirror reached out to the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service for comments on the incident.