Brighton mum and son lose everything in house fire

The pair, who live in St Peter’s Street, Brighton, had to escape from their home last week when a fire broke out in their living room and began to spread quickly.

Thick black smoke billowed from the windows and doors as passers-by watched on in horror.

East Sussex firefighters were called at 11.20am and were able to put out the blaze, but it took four fire engines and several crews with hose jets blasting water out to dampen it.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called at 11.20am on 9 August 2024 to reports of a fire in a home.

“Crews used 8 breathing apparatus and jets to put the fire out.

The fire spread from the ground floor to the first floor (Image: Go Fund Me)

“The fire started on the ground floor of a terraced house and spread to the first floor.

“The occupants made their way to safety and it is being treated as an accidental fire.”

Eleesha Painter is now raising money to help her mother-in-law.

Firefighters put up a cordon around the home (Image: Go Fund Me)

• The fundraiser can be accessed here: https://gofund.me/70aed47a 

Writing on her fundraising page, Ms Painter said: “I am fundraising to raise money in order to help my mother-in-law who is a single disabled mum and her autistic teenage son after they lost their home.

“The fire ripped through their home in minutes and due to this they have lost absolutely everything.

“My mother-in-law has lived at her home for 22 years raising her three children, taking in her daughter and son-in-law and watching her seven grandchildren grow up there.

“I want to help her gather some money to help towards furniture, clothes and anything else that will be needed during this heartbreaking time.”

Ms Painter was contacted for further comment.