Terminally ill Darlington grandma's home destroyed in fire

The fire ripped through Jeanette Charlton's Brankin Drive, Darlington property, late on Tuesday night (September 9) when a mini fridge in her granddaughter Taylor’s bedroom caught fire.

The 12-year-old, who had been asleep at the time, raised the alarm when she got up to go to the toilet and spotted the flames.

Jeanette Charlton pictured with her grandaughter Taylor Beggs who woke her gran up after a fire started in her bedroom on Brankin Drive (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Grandmother Jeanette, 58, who is battling breast cancer that has now spread to her spine, managed to save the family’s two dogs before she and Taylor fled the home.

Jeanette’s daughter and Taylor's mum, Sophie Charlton, said: “I walked into the home after it happened and had to leave straight away it was heart-breaking.

“Taylor has nothing left now, not even her phone. All of the upstairs has been damaged and her bedroom has been left fully burnt through. The bathroom ceiling even fell in due to the heat damage.”

The aftermath of the house fire on Brankin Drive, Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Jeanette, who previously recovered from breast cancer and a stroke before being told her cancer had returned and was terminal, has now been left with nothing.

The grandmother, who previously worked at Cleancare Dry Cleaners & Laundry Services on Skinnergate, before her health forced her to stop, had lived in the home for several years.

Jeanette said she had no home insurance as she rented the property and she is now staying at her mother’s house while she and Taylor search for a new home.

The aftermath of the house fire on Brankin Drive, Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) However, the family said finding accommodation is proving difficult, because of their two dogs.

Sophie, added: “Taylor is making a joke of it now but I think that’s because she doesn’t know how to deal with it.

“She has been left with nothing and for a helpless kid at that age it is just so unfair.”

Sophie Charlton with her daughter Taylor Beggs who woke her gran up after a fire started in her bedroom on Brankin Drive (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) The girl’s uniform was also destroyed in the blaze, but her school, Polam Hall, has stepped in.

Sophie said: “Polam Hall School have been fantastic and have helped get her a full new uniform free of charge and offered for her to go in with no pressure until she settles back down.”

The aftermath of the house fire on Brankin Drive, Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The aftermath of the house fire on Brankin Drive, Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Sophie added: “It is just so shocking you never expect anything like this to happen. My first thought when I found out was about Taylor as I didn’t want her to be hurt. I was relieved above anything when I heard from them.

“My mum is an absolute warrior and so strong. She doesn’t allow things to phase her and has a very it ‘is what it is’ attitude and just gets on.”

The family has now launched a GoFundMe appeal to help replace Taylor’s belongings and support Jeanette as she battles her illness while trying to rebuild her life.

More than £800 has already been raised.

Donate to the appeal here - https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-terminally-ill-mam-and-my-daughter-after-house-fire

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.