A mother is facing a devastating situation after a fire destroyed her residence in Knowle, Bristol, leaving her and her seven children without any belongings. Hayley Lundie, 30, described the experience as a nightmare, emphasizing that everything in their council-owned home was lost in the blaze that occurred on Monday afternoon.
Emergency services, including crews from Bedminster and Temple, swiftly responded to the fire that engulfed the property. Avon Fire and Rescue Service has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, following concerns raised by Hayley about long-standing issues with faulty electrics in the house.
Hayley had been persistently seeking repairs from Bristol City Council for the hazardous electrical problems in her home, as flagged by a surveyor. Despite her efforts, the necessary actions were reportedly not taken, leading to the tragic outcome of the fire that consumed their possessions.
The family, consisting of Hayley, her partner, and their children aged between eight months and nine years, moved into the council property in April 2024. Now, they are confronted with the daunting task of finding alternative accommodation after losing everything in the fire.
Hayley’s ordeal with the council dates back to July 2025 when she first raised concerns about various safety issues left by previous tenants. Despite multiple attempts to address the issues, including involvement of the Housing Disrepair Team, the necessary repairs were allegedly not carried out, culminating in the fire incident.
Following the fire, Hayley had to declare herself and her family homeless as a safety precaution due to the hazardous condition of the property. Despite seeking assistance from Bristol City Council, the situation escalated when the house was engulfed in flames while her partner was away.
Expressing gratitude for the community support received, Hayley highlighted the overwhelming loss of cherished memories amidst the challenges they are facing. A fundraising page has been set up to aid the family during this difficult period.
Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment on the matter.
