A family have been forced to leave their home after a devastating blaze tore through the top floor of the house.

Denise Goldsmith and her children had to evacuate the property in Norwood Gardens, Ashford, after the fire broke out yesterday afternoon.

Investigations continue into the cause of the blaze, but pictures reveal the extent of the damage made to a bedroom and bathroom.

Now, Denise's friends Helen Stockman and Steve Salter are hoping the community will rally together to support Denise and her three children, aged 12, 10 and seven.

It comes as the family have been to "hell and back" after Denise's son, Tyrese Quigley, died aged 18 when a Honda Civic and his moped collided in 2021.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Denise and her family get back on her feet.

Speaking to KentOnline about the fire, Ms Stockman said: "The smoke damage is unbelievable.

"The bedroom the fire started in is all melted up the wall, all the mattress was melted and even the coat hangers in the wardrobe with clothes on have melted from the intense heat. It is crazy.

"Denise and the children stayed at a hotel last night and are having to look for somewhere to live for possibly the next six months until they can move back in.

"She has literally just sold this house too.

"She's made an offer on another house to move to and now this has happened, she's devastated. She just needs a break."

Thankfully, Denise and her three young children all got out safely after the fire started.

"They were all at home and she was downstairs getting something from her freezer in the shed," Ms Stockman said.

"As she's walked back in the smoke alarm was going off so she's gone to go upstairs. Her daughter was at the top of the stairs crying her eyes out.

"Denise could see the smoke coming from one of the bedrooms.

"She opened the door and could see flames so she quickly got the children out and called the fire brigade who were close by because they'd just been helping with a crash near the Outlet.

"They're all out and safe and it could have been a lot worse.

"She is a woman who will always do anything to protect her children. Her priority is keeping her children safe.

"She's a very proud woman and won't ask for help but sometimes you have to swallow your pride.

"She'd give you the world but she wouldn't ask for anything back and that's Denise all over."

Organiser of the GoFundMe page, Steve Salter, says Denise and her family has been to "hell and back" in the past few years.

"She lost her son Tyrese and in my opinion her family have been to hell and back," he said.

"She's desperately trying to get justice for Tyrese and she's had the trauma of that.

"They're a nice family and I've known them a long time.
"She's a very proud and decent lady and she's got a heart of gold so it's about time someone did something nice for her because she deserves it.

"For that to happen and the damage it has caused is just horrible."

The GoFund can be found here.

Two fire engines were sent to the house as well as the Kent Fire and Rescue volunteer response team and The British Red Cross.

Denise said she wanted to thank the Red Cross and fire service for their speedy response and friends and family who are helping her through this.