Fire fund-raiser for young family

A family have been left devastated and homeless following a fire in Ventnor last Thursday (November 23).

The fire broke out in their flat on the second floor in Dudley Road, caused, it is thought, by a candle which had been knocked over in a bedroom.

Shane Rout-Lavell, his partner, Samantha, and their two children Oliver (7) and Esme (5) have been left without clothes, household items, and many cherished memories, following the accident.

Plumber, Shane, 28, explained: “I was still at work at around 7pm while Sam was getting the kids ready for bed. She was bathing Oliver, while Esme was already tucked in. She went to get Oliver a towel, and saw smoke coming from our bedroom, then the alarm went off.

“The bedside table was alight, and her first reaction was to get the kids out of the flat to safety as well as round up our two dogs and cat. A neighbour tried to enter the property but was beaten back by the smoke and flames.

“I then got a call to say the flat was on fire and a window had been blown out. I knew the family was in there, so I jumped in my car in a state of panic. So much was going through my mind. Thankfully, by the time I got to Whitwell, which isn’t far away, I had a call to say they were all OK.

“The dogs got out as well, but the cat was missing – however it turned up the next day!

“We’ve lost everything; poor Oliver was left in just a towel! We have lots of sentimental photos and presents, which have now gone, and a Gofundme page has been set up to get us back on our feet.

“Our friends and family have already been so generous so we now have some clothes and shoes. But it’s also the little things. We had just done a £200 food shop for Christmas and started buying presents, so they’re gone.

“I am a proud man and have always looked after my family, but we’re desperate. It seems a tea light candle on the bedside table was knocked over, possibly by one of the pets, but there’s nothing we can do now.

“At the moment, I’m just trying to restore life for the children.”

The family are also requesting some winter clothing and toys for the children. Donations can be dropped off at Ventnor RBL.

Shane added: “With this fund-raiser, it may help us raise the money for a deposit to get us rehoused.”

You can find the fundraiser at iow.life/shaneandsam.