Mum-of-two Claire heard a “little pop” from the kitchen before smoke filled the house
The Sayonas family are homeless at Christmas after a blaze at their Anfield home(Image: Claire Sayonas)
A Liverpool family are set to be homeless at Christmas after a devastating house fire. Claire Sayonas, 39, her partner and two daughters will wake up in a hotel on Christmas morning after a tumble dryer caught fire at their home in Anfield on December 11.
Claire was at home with youngest daughter Daisy, 16, when she heard a “little pop” from the kitchen. Claire said: “I didn’t think much of it because we have cats and thought maybe they had knocked something over — but I saw it was a little hazy.”
The mum ran to the kitchen and turned the dryer off. She said: “Nothing was on fire so I was confused. I opened the water draw and smoke came gushing out.”
She shouted for her daughter, who was in the shower, and put her dog and cats away in a room as she called 999 at 6.15pm. Firefighters arrived within five minutes and were faced with a blaze in the kitchen.
Claire and Daisy were on the street outside when the fire brigade arrived outside the house on Sleepers Hill. Claire said: “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.”
The fire began in the kitchen.(Image: Supplied)
Houses either side of Claire’s started to fill with smoke and those neighbours also evacuated. Firefighters passed Claire’s dog out through the window. Claire’s two kittens were nowhere to be found during the incident but were later recovered from the house safe and well.
Social landlord Your Housing has put the family, including Claire’s partner Jack Wood, 32, and daughter Jay Sayonas, 18, up in a hotel for the Christmas period. They will later be moved to serviced apartments before being rehoused.
The house fire on Sleepers Hill in Anfield(Image: Claire Sayonas)
Claire said: “We have lost [items] but we know these things can be replaced. However, that house was a very safe space for us.
“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.”
The family was preparing for Christmas at their Anfield home. (Image: Supplied)
The family was not insured, as Claire said: “We don’t have insurance because we never dreamed this would happen.”
A fundraising page has been set up to support the family.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was in attendance at an incident on Sleepers Hill, Liverpool on Thursday, 11 December.
The fire caused extensive smoke damage. (Image: Supplied)
“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 were out of the property prior to Fire Service arrival.
“Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus with hose reel jets were deployed to locate and extinguish the fire. Once the fire was extinguished, 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.”
A spokesperson for Your Housing Group said: “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.
“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.”