FIRE! My hardworking family homeless at Christmas

Hi, I'm David. I never imagined, just the week before Christmas, that our young family in England would suddenly become a 'good cause'. How quickly a housefire can turn life upside down. After a long haul of unemployment, Jason, had just flawlessly passed his bus driving test and returned to regular income, after two years of low or no earnings. We are proud of our son-in-law and his dogged perseverance through many setbacks. Sarah, our daughter, and Mum to our really cuddly granddaughter Abi (8) is well-known across East Anglia as a musician and teacher of Music, both in school and private tutoring. The Christmas break was exactly what they needed just then. Presents were arranged under the tree, house was festooned with decorations and cozying up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate was like emerging from a long dark tunnel into bright sunlight and fresh hope. The dream lasted less than 48 hours. They returned from a happy shopping trip to a sight no-one should ever see: fire engines right outside their house, smoke billowing from an upstairs window, neighbours’ faces lined with concern for the young family - and for their own terraced properties.

The fire had burned a hole clean through the upstairs corridor and both bathroom and study were inaccessible. Melted toys (including the Christmas present we had sent for our granddaughter) and other ruined possessions testified to the heat of the fire. Only fire services could access the house until it could be made safe. All Sarah and Jason could do was watch and wait and wonder how their hopes could be so quickly shattered.

It has become clear that downstairs has largely escaped damage, but all upstairs is virtually a write off. The holiday season has hindered the whole process of insurance claims and it has now emerged that our daughter's livelihood is at risk from the fire damage. Her valuable musical instruments were damaged when part of the ceiling fell on them. For years they had been well insured - but not lately. Insurers insist on instrument appraisals before agreeing cover and our kids had delayed renewal because they could not afford the appraisal fees. Now that Dad was earning again, this was high on the To Do list - but the fire got there first. Repairs will cost in the region of £3000.

Local authority homeless accommodation, it seems these days, is likely to involve house sharing with a second family... A bit like heaping one trauma on top of another. Private lets (such as the fire just destroyed) a short walk from Abi's school, are not easy to come by. Letting agents present many challenges to a family just recovering from a long income deficit, plus... Mum has epilepsy, can't drive, has chronic respiratory problems and has a badly injured foot - geography is everything. There will be many associated costs. Damaged and salvaged possessions required expensive skip and van hire. Our family are really grateful to their dear friends who have given them a temporary home, but obviously this places unaccustomed strains on all concerned and hopes are that this will be very short-term. Home for now is also well out of town, so tuition space within town must be found for private students who, until three weeks ago were taught from Sarah's front room. As the implications unfold, we will post updates... Thanks for taking time to read our story.