Suzie Allen was so grateful for the Red Cross’ help after her house burned down that she has decided to become a volunteer.
One evening while she was relaxing at home, Suzie’s thatched cottage in Micheldever, Hampshire became caught up in a fierce fire that totally destroyed the property.
The grandmother remembered: “I heard a fire alarm go off but, because I didn’t have my hearing aid in, I couldn’t hear properly and the noise was distorted. I went through to the family room and, as I pushed open the door, I was thrown back by the fire.”
Out of control
Panicked, Suzie ran into her kitchen and tried to call 999 but the fire had melted through the phone cables. She added: “It was completely out of control. There was so much smoke and the fire was intense. I shouted at the animals – our dog and cats – to come out and ran down to the nearest neighbour.
“I went into complete panic because I knew I couldn’t fight the fire myself, it was just too big. It had hold of the curtains and everything was alight. Finally, there was just nothing left, nothing at all.
“When the Red Cross volunteers – Ruth and Dave – arrived, they were absolutely wonderful. I’d had a panic attack and couldn’t get my breath or find my inhaler. I also wanted my husband but couldn’t remember any phone numbers at all. Dave was so calming and just sat there holding my hand, telling me everything would be okay.”
‘Lovely volunteers’
“Dave kept saying: ‘The house is gone, but you’re here. That’s the important thing – that you’re okay. It’s only material things, your family couldn’t replace you.’ He was absolutely lovely.
“I don’t know how I would have coped without the Red Cross’ support – I didn’t even have shoes on at the time. Ruth got me shoes, socks, underwear and a warm top to wear. She also gave me a face flannel and toothbrush – all those little things you don’t think about. I can’t say how valuable the Red Cross volunteers were – I really wasn’t with it that night.”
Suzie’s grade-listed cottage will take a year to rebuild, but she is already planning for the future. She said: “I’d really like to be a volunteer once I’m back home and settled. Ruth and Dave were so kind and it would be nice for other people to have someone to speak to who has already been through it. I wouldn’t mind doing that.”
More about emergency repsonse
Become an emergency response volunteer
Learn about first aid