Blyth family lose home and dog in devastating fire as community rallies to help
A Blyth family are appealing for help after their dog died and they lost everything in a devastating house fire.
Bethany Pears, mother of three to a six-year-old, 18-month-old and six-week-old baby, lives in Blyth with her fiance Robert.
On Tuesday, March 3, when on a day out with her family, she received a nightmare phone call from a neighbour who told her that their house was on fire.
Over an hour and a half away from home and petrified for her dog Narla who was in the house, Bethany rushed back as soon as she could.
Unfortunately, by that point, there was irreparable damage to the home and the smoke had took their dog’s life as well as destroyed almost everything the family owned.
Bethany recalled: “We were in Peterlee so no where near home and I got a phone call off one of my neighbours in hysterics screaming that my house was on fire.
"The first thing that came to my head was that I knew my dog was in the kitchen so I asked if someone could smash the window but they said the fire brigade were coming. When they arrived, they tried to put a mask on Narla but she couldn’t be saved.”
An investigation took place into the cause of the fire however no conclusion has been reached.
“I felt so out of control because I was so far away and there was nothing I could physically do, it was just the most unimaginable thing,” Bethany added.
“We have had to completely move out, the smoke damage is absolutely horrendous, even things I had in the loft have had to be thrown out.”
Bethany is currently living in her sister, Michaela’s, two-bedroom flat until she can move into a new home in Blyth.
In an attempt to help her sister get back onto her feet and replace some of the items that the family have lost, Michaela has set up a GoFundMe where over £1,200 has been raised so far.
“It can be hard to put your feelings aside and ask for help, but the support has been absolutely amazing,” Bethany added.