Family heard loud 'bang' outside and saw their window go up in flames—dad's under-20-second dash saved their lives before house exploded
Late November is a time to prep for the winter and holiday season—wrapping gifts, planning gatherings, and settling into the warmth of Christmas and New Year. But for the Healy family of Brockholes, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, the season took a devastating turn when an explosion outside their house took everything from them, as reported by the BBC.
A van parked outside their home on New Mill Road suddenly exploded, and the fire spread very fast. Daron Healy, who lives with his wife Eunice and their daughter Charlotte, recalled the moment everything changed. “There was a massive bang and then flames all over our windows,” he said. Mrs. Healy remembers only fragments—shock, noise, and heat. “I think we had about 20 seconds between the first explosion, which sent flames up the walls, and the second blast when the fire became really bad all over the door and windows,” she shared while speaking to the outlet. “All the workmen in the street were panicking as well.”
Fortunately, the family of three escaped unharmed from the fire, but the aftermath was overwhelming as their home, where they had lived for nearly two decades, was no longer safe to live in. Friends and neighbors quickly stepped in, launching a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $4,190 to help. Mrs. Healy said, “We're so grateful for all the donations and the support, but it's not really about the money; we just want somewhere to live.”
For now, their days are spent moving between hotels, not knowing where they will be staying next. The donations help with hotel meals and buying clothes, but there is uncertainty about the future. Mr. Healy conveyed ongoing negotiations between their landlord and the insurance company are taking a lot of time, and he fears they may not be able to find another home in the village they love. “We've been in Brockholes for 16 years. We got married here, Charlotte went to school here, and to be forced out like this is devastating,” he said. A house on their street is available, but the rent is much higher. The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service recorded the unfortunate incident as “accidental.” Lanes Group, the subcontractor carrying out utilities work for Yorkshire Water, said it would conduct a full investigation and continue working closely with all affected parties.
As shocking as the Healys’ experience is, house fires remain more common than many realise. According to statistics from Morgan Clark (the UK’s leading firm of Loss Assessors), the UK sees more than 34,000 house fires every year, roughly one every 15 minutes, with cooking appliances responsible for 44% of them.
With Christmas around the corner, the emotional toll feels sharper. “We should be putting the tree up and wrapping our presents. But we can't do any of that, and we don't even know where we will be on Christmas morning.” But the support from their community was the most reassuring part, and they felt deeply grateful to everyone helping them through this
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