Frenchs Forest fire: James Gosling speaks of family struggle following house fire
A Frenchs Forest family have spoken since a devastating house fire ripped through their home losing all their cherished family mementos. Now they are searching for their kitten Nellie as the community rallies behind them for support.
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A Frenchs Forest family have said they’re “emotionally” coming to terms with the trauma of escaping their timber home and losing everything as they watched it burn to the ground.
It comes as the Potts family continue a desperate search for their eight month old grey kitten Nellie who they haven’t seen since the incident at Aranda Drive, Frenchs Forest about 9.30pm on Friday.
There is uncertainty over whether the kitten perished in the blaze or escaped, with no body found.
James Gosling, 18, said he wasn’t home when the inferno ripped through their house but his mother, stepfather and brother, 11, were inside.
“I wasn’t home at the time, I was down in Newport seeing a mate so when I got the call I raced back,” Mr Gosling said.
“I think everyone was still awake. My mum and step dad, they heard a sound and came out and the hallway was on fire so they got out.
“Everything went up because it was a timber house. They were on the ground floor. My little brother did well remembering what to do in a fire and jumped out the window.”
He said his stepfather Stephen Potts was injured trying to get everyone out of the house and had managed to save their dog.
“The dog’s all right which is good. My step dad’s doing better but he did cop burns on his hands, which are going to heal,” he said.
“We’re still looking for Nellie but there’s a 50-50 chance she didn’t make it out and if she did, whether or not she’ll come back.
“We’re doing all right, it’s still pretty early. We’re trying to sort out a plan. We’re just trying to get through it, find our cat and deal with it emotionally, with losing everything.”
He said the family had owned the house for 14 years and are currently living out of a hotel which is being covered by insurance until a long-term plan can be sorted.
“Half the outer walls are brick and some of the roof remained. I had a look through, searching for my mum’s jewellery but it’s all gone. So are the photo albums of my childhood.”
He thanked the community for their support so far.
“A lot of people came and gave us clothes which was really lovely and thoughtful. My sister was telling me she’s got so many clothes donated that it’s overflowing but we’d like people to know we’re all right at the moment.”
Friends of the family and members of the community have rallied together to help organise donations including food cards, restaurant coupons and gift cards.
Rachel Leah Jackson posted about it to the Belrose, Davidson, French’s Forest & Forestville Community Page.
“I’ve connected with the family and they are so thankful for all the support. The cat is not confirmed dead. What we don’t want is lots of stuff that cannot be used,” Ms Jackson wrote on Facebook.
“I’ve chatted to the family and asked them if it is okay to buy them food cards, gift cards”.
She said they will be accepting Woolworths, Big W, Westfield gift vouchers and restaurant vouchers “to take the pressure off”.
James Gosling’s sister Brigette Monique has also started a Go Fund Me page which has raised $8,357 so far with a target of $20,000.
“We are going to have to start again and we need your help, our incredible community’s help. Please donate if you can. Every little bit counts and we are so gracious for everything you can spare,” Ms Monique wrote.
NSW Fire and Rescue confirmed the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.
More information can be found here.