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Mum 'distraught' after family home goes up in flames

Emma Beci Several people stand outside in the street looking towards a fire at a property.Emma Beci
Emergency services were called to the house early on 13 May

A mum from Derbyshire says she has been left "distraught" after her family's home went up in flames.

Kelly Rutter said she and her four children fled their house in Beech Crescent, Killamarsh, after they were woken by the blaze early in the morning on 13 May.

Police are investigating the "suspicious" fire, which is believed to have started in the car on her drive and spread to the property, and say no arrests have been made.

The family is now sofa-surfing at different friends' homes.

Emma Beci Two firefighters stand over a burnt out carEmma Beci
An investigation into the blaze is under way

Ms Rutter said she was woken on the night of the fire by "bright red lights" outside her window.

"I opened the curtains and saw flames and I saw a jerry can on my car ablaze," the 40-year-old added.

Ms Rutter and her children, aged seven, 13, 16 and 18, escaped through the back door of the house wearing just their pyjamas and nothing on their feet, she said.

"It's a good job we didn't stop for anything because within 10 minutes the front door had gone up in flames," added Ms Rutter.

Fire crews from Derbyshire and South Yorkshire attended the blaze, along with police officers and paramedics.

Firefighters found a car "well alight on the driveway" when they arrived and said the blaze had spread to the house.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "At this time we are treating the fire as suspicious and would like to hear from any witnesses, anyone in the area, or with CCTV or dashcam footage from around the time of the incident."

Ms Rutter said she was unable to afford insurance for the property due to the cost of living and was "distraught" that all of her belongings had been lost in the blaze.

Simon Thake Two women stood together pose for the camera. On the right, a blonde woman with a grey tshirt. On the left a woman with dark red hair and black top.Simon Thake
Emma Beci (left) has set up a fundraiser after a fire at Ms Rutter's (right) home

Ms Rutter said she was offered a two-bedroom property elsewhere but was left without a car following the blaze, making it "impossible" to get her children to school and for her to go to work.

Her friend, Emma Beci, has launched a fundraiser to try to support the family.

"It was heartbreaking to see my best friend lose everything," she said.

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