Ipswich family’s heartbreak after One Mile home devastated in fire

An Ipswich mum has issued a warning to parents after a desperate escape from a house fire. Luckily, she managed to save her baby and pets but all her possessions were destroyed.

A One Mile family's home was destroyed in a sudden fire on Friday, December 1. Picture: Supplied

An Ipswich family has been left shell-shocked and looking for a new home after all their belongings were destroyed in a fire last Friday, December 1.

Hayley Smith, 27, said she was at their One Mile home with her 15-month-old son when the fire broke out.

He was playing as she got dressed for work and briefly left the room.

She did not think much of it but when he quickly returned she noticed an unusual smoke smell.

“I walked into our kitchen and was greeted with a room full of smoke,” Ms Smith said.

Ipswich family Hayley Smith, Ryan Smith and baby Darcy Smith. Picture: Supplied

Ms Smith said her son must have flicked on the knob of the stove top, causing a booster seat left sitting on top of the burner to catch fire.

“(The stove) is normally off at the wall, but on this occasion it had been missed,” she said.

“Before the smoke alarms had even been set off I grabbed my son, let my two dogs in the back door and ushered all three out the front door.”

Just 15 minutes after calling emergency services the flames had engulfed the entire home.

Ms Smith said fire crews told them nothing in the home was salvageable.

“The roof was moments from collapsing and deemed not safe,” she said.

A One Mile family's home was destroyed in a sudden fire on Friday, December 1. Picture: Supplied

Days after the blaze they managed to find temporary accommodation with family but were still grappling with the sudden loss of their home.

“The reality of what has happened hasn’t really kicked in, we are taking each day as it comes,” Ms Smith said.

“Having to rebuild our lives and purchase our essentials has taken a huge toll as you can’t just reach for a hairbrush or deodorant, because we no longer own any of these items.”

Ms Smith said they were struggling with the incident “constantly replaying” in their heads.

They were constantly “thinking how (they) could have tried to prevent it”.

She said she hoped her story would help spread awareness of the danger of house fires to those with young children.

Ms Smith’s manager started a GoFundMe to help raise funds for the young family so they could take time off work and buy new belongings.

The fundraiser has already raised more than $17,000 with a goal of $20,000.

A steady flow of donations and well wishes are still streaming in.