A mum-of-two has thanked the community for saving her family’s Gedney Dyke home, and potentially their lives, from a fire.
Amanda Roberts (35) said she was only aware the blaze had started around 7pm on Tuesday (August 11) in the carport at her Main Street house after being alerted by passers by.
Among the items destroyed are the family car used to take four-year-old Archie for regular appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and the play equipment he enjoys with his two-year-old brother Tommy.
It could have been a lot worse but for local farmers bringing water barrels on tractors and strangers alongside
Amanda’s husband Dave, mum Carol, dad Nick, sister Emma and friends tackling the blaze.
“It was amazing how everyone came to help,” Amanda said. “At one point there were so many complete strangers in our house doing anything they could to help.
“The fire brigades were at another job and took a while to come so we had people calling farmers to bring water.
“The neighbours were fantastic, calming the kids down and making sure they were ok.
“My two-year-old is still a little shook up.
“He keeps saying fire, fire, bigger, bigger.
“My oldest was very upset seeing his lovely playhouse melting. His face was heart-breaking to see.
“But we’re fine, that’s the main thing. It could have been so much worse.
“The only reason I know it was around 7pm is because I was putting the kids to bed and my husband was about to head off to the gym.
“My kids are two live wires so when I put them to bed I tend to fall asleep after them.
“The only way out is where the fire was.”
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said the Long Sutton crew attended the fire and it was caused by sunlight refracting from a glass table causing an ignition.
She works as a hairdresser and some of the equipment she uses for her job was also destroyed.
Dave also lost the fishing equipment and golf clubs given to him by his grandad which held sentimental value for the family.
The biggest loss was the car with the family already having to make alternative plans to get Archie to Great Ormond Street.
He was born with tumours in his spine which have meant reconstructive surgery.
He’s due to have his latest operation next week.
Thankfully Amanda says she has fantastic family and friends, including more people she’s now met as a result of the fire.
“We’ve only been in the area three years after moving up from Essex and the friends we’ve already made are fantastic.
“The whole community was brilliant.
“There was an off-duty fireman who stopped to help us while waiting for the fire engines and the firemen who put out the fire twice, secured our home and blocked up the kitchen window which exploded in the heat.
“Thanks to the ambulance team who turned up to help my husband when he became very ill after inhaling huge amounts of smoke battling the fire away from our house.
“Myself and my family went to bed safe and together, thanks to the help of this amazing community.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” Amanda wrote on social media.
The family may also be the first in South Holland to lose their wheelie bins after receiving them last week.
“If the council want to give us new bins, that would be great,” Amanda laughed.
