A mother in Newtyle, Angus, still hears the screams of her children after they returned home to find their house completely engulfed in flames. Cheryl Ballie, along with her seven-year-old twins Aria and Josh, had just picked up a Chinese takeaway for dinner when they arrived back at their residence to see thick smoke billowing out of the front door. Cheryl, in a state of panic, quickly ushered her children across the road to safety, where they witnessed the devastating sight of their family home being consumed by a massive fire, destroying all their possessions and Christmas gifts.
Recalling the harrowing experience, Cheryl shared, “I looked upstairs and there was a bright orange light and flames were engulfing the top floors of our house then everyone started to scream. I grabbed the kids and we ran across the road to a grassy area. I was terrified for our lives, I thought the whole house would explode because I could hear bangs and popping.” She expressed her gratitude that they all escaped with their lives, despite losing everything they owned.
The Ballie family is currently staying with Cheryl’s parents in the village, left with only the clothes on their backs as they mourn the loss of their belongings and irreplaceable sentimental items. A fundraising effort led by a local pub landlady aims to support the family during this challenging time, providing them with some relief amidst the tragedy.
Cheryl expressed her devastation at the scene of their destroyed home, especially witnessing her children’s reactions to the loss. The support from the community has been a source of strength for the family, with Cheryl acknowledging the overwhelming assistance they have received. As they face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch, Cheryl remains thankful for the safety of her family and the solidarity shown by those around them.
In the face of such a traumatic event, the Ballie family’s resilience and the outpouring of communal support exemplify the power of unity and compassion in times of crisis. Through the solidarity of their village and the generous contributions to the fundraiser, Cheryl and her children are not alone in their journey towards recovery and rebuilding after the devastation of the fire.