A tragic house fire in Taunton has left a family grieving the loss of their beloved dog and trying to recover from extensive damage to their home. The blaze erupted on Friday, January 9, at approximately 4:54 pm in a residence on Bossington Drive, rapidly consuming the kitchen and spreading smoke throughout the house.
According to family friend Elisha Smith, the fire caused “tremendous” damage, destroying the kitchen, ceiling, windows, doors, and many personal belongings—especially those of the two young boys who were thankfully away at the time. Unfortunately, the family dog, Daisy, did not survive the incident.
Elisha, who has organized a fundraiser to support the family, shared: “The fire service arrived within seven minutes and worked tirelessly to try to rescue Daisy, for which the family is immensely grateful. Tara, the mother, was the sole person at home during the fire and is now left to cope with both the loss of her pet and the damage to their home.”
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The fire devastated the kitchen area, rendering it 80% damaged by fire and smoke, while the remainder of the house suffered significant smoke damage. Ceiling lights and fire alarms melted, shoes were partly burnt, and many belongings are beyond salvage. The family is now assessing what can be saved as they begin the long process of rebuilding.
Funds raised through the fundraiser will assist the family with immediate essential needs and help them navigate this challenging time. Every contribution, no matter how small, will provide meaningful support.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that two fire engines from Taunton attended the scene. The fire was brought under control using hose reel jets, a safety jet, and breathing apparatus, followed by ventilation to clear smoke. The cause of the fire is not believed to be deliberate.