Family's heartbreak as fire destroys treasured memories (From Western Telegraph)

Family's heartbreak as fire destroys treasured memories

8:40am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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A Haverfordwest family has been left homeless and all their precious memories were destroyed following a fire last week.

Gemma Coombes had just left for work on Wednesday, August 25th when she was called back because flames were engulfing the house next door to hers on Hywel Road, Haverfordwest.

Fearful for her children’s safety when she couldn’t contact them on their mobile phones, Gemma was relieved to find both ten-year-old Morgan and 12-year-old Evan were okay, along with their dog, lizard and two cats.

The two boys were heading to Sarah Davies’ house while Gemma was in work and it was her who broke the news of the fire.

She said: “Sarah rang and said ‘the house next door is on fire’, I grabbed my stuff and legged it back.

“I got there to see the whole roof on fire. It was horrible to just stand there and there is nothing you can do.

“The kids had already got out, poor Evan was still in his pyjamas. Had it been at night there is no way we’d have got out alive.”

Although she is glad that no one was hurt in the blaze, Gemma is devastated that all her baby mementoes and photographs, which were stored in the loft have been ruined by smoke and water.

“Things like the TV and Xbox can be replaced but I can’t replace things like my baby scans, or locks from their first haircut and hospital wristbands, I kept everything.”

The family now faces a long wait to find out when, or if, they can return to their home, but having long been concerned about the safety of the building, Gemma is worried about returning.

“My things are there but it’s not my home anymore,” said Gemma.

“If it wasn’t for Sarah we’d have nowhere to stay, she’s been amazing.”

The flat where the fire started is believed to be extensively damaged.