Fire rips through Nitshill home as family forced to evacuate

Kerry-Ann Lemard said it was a miracle the family escaped when she and her two young sons, Ezekiel, seven, and Amen, six, fled a dangerous house fire that ravaged the property.

She had been standing in her kitchen when she started to smell burning. 

Kerry-Ann said: “My sons were bickering and fighting with each other, so I told my eldest to go upstairs and do his homework. 

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"I was standing in the kitchen then I started smelling this burning smoke smell.

"I called my son downstairs to ask if he had been burning paper or something upstairs.

"He said no and after that I smelled it coming from the bathroom."

Kerry Ann, who had only moved into the new-build property on Drumbeg Drive in Nitshill two years ago, then found the fire in her bathroom storage cupboard and rushed to help put it out.

The 39-year-old said: "I got a cup of water and when I got back, I realised that it would do nothing for how big the fire was.

"Loads of black smoke was already starting to go out into the entire house.

"At that point, I realised that we all just had to get out to make sure everyone was safe because it was all happening so quickly."

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Scottish Rescue and Fire Service attended the fire at Drumbeg Drive at 8:53 pm, with three fire engines attending the scene.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.53pm on Thursday, February 18 to reports of a dwelling fire at Drumbeg Drive, Glasgow.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the scene.

“Firefighters extinguished the fire and left after ensuring the area was made safe.

“There were no reported casualties.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

Kerry Ann said: "I am thanking God that we are all safe, it was terrifying and it all happened so quickly.

"It really felt like it went from zero to 100 in no time and I just had to get the kids out.

"All the material things that were left in the house don't matter now, it's just a miracle that we got out."

The family have since been allowed back into the property, but it has been severely damaged by the fire, with rooms including the kitchen and bathroom completely destroyed.

Kerry Ann, Ezekiel and Amen have moved into her brother's home until another permanent residence is found.

Kerry Ann has also thanked the local community for their support in the aftermath of the fire.

She said: "The community and neighbours have all been amazing.

"When we first made it out of the house, a woman passing by helped out with the kids.

"She put them in her car and gave them blankets to keep them warm."

Locals have even set up a GoFundMe page to help support Kerry Ann and the family get back on their feet in the aftermath of the fire.

The page has so far raised £820 for the family.

She said: "I didn't even know that somebody had set up the page until I was told by a friend.

"People have been so kind in offering clothes and food too, even the local shop has offered us food. The community couldn't have supported us more.

"Even during the coronavirus and when people might not have as much as normal, they were still helping us out.

"There are so many good people in the world, I want to thank everyone who has helped us."