The fire severely damaged Juliette Campbell and her daughter and son’s home – leaving the family homeless and forcing them into a hotel awaiting a temporary place to move.
Juliette relies on a wheelchair as she lives with functional neurological disorder and had to crawl out of the house to safety.
“I had to abandon my wheelchair and just crawl,” Juliette said. “Once I got over the threshold, I was screaming for help.
“Thankfully, people passing by came to help.”
London Fire Brigade was first alerted to the fire on Pontefract Road on June 6 at approximately 12.25pm.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Bromley, Lee Green, and Lewisham stations were sent to the scene.
They managed to control the blaze by 1.48 pm, but not before it destroyed the ground floor and extensively damaged the first floor of the house.
Juliette was at home alone when the fire broke out and noticed the fire alarms going off first but thought it may have been caused by incense sticks.
She soon saw the flames spreading through the property.
Juliette added: “I am grateful to some kind strangers who really helped me as well as my daughter.
“My daughter is my caregiver, and she continued to provide the same care for me at the hotel.
“The first two days were difficult because I didn’t have a wheelchair.”
London Fire Brigade was first alerted to the fire on Pontefract Road on June 6 at approximately 12.25pm (Image: J C)
The family is currently staying at a Travelodge, with plans to move into a rental property as their home undergoes repairs, but Juliette is also facing the daunting task of replacing all her belongings.
A friend of Juliette’s daughter set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the family rebuild their lives.
The community’s response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with numerous donations and offers of assistance pouring in.
“I’m incredibly grateful,” Juliette said. “I would have been too embarrassed to ask for help myself, so having someone take charge of this has been really helpful.”
Juliette also praised the London Fire Brigade firefighters who rescued their cat, Sage, using makeshift oxygen equipment.
London Fire Brigade was first alerted to the fire on Pontefract Road on June 6 at approximately 12.25pm (Image: LFB)
Juliette and her family hope to move into a rental property soon, a step that would provide some stability and allow them to begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
The housing association is working with her social worker to find a suitable property that meets her needs.
Despite the challenges, Juliette remains hopeful. The support from the community has been a beacon of hope, helping her navigate this difficult time.
“I’ve managed to hold it together so far,” she said. “The kindness of strangers has been amazing. People have been incredibly generous, and that’s kept me going.”
For those wishing to support Juliette and her family, donations can be made through the GoFundMe page.
