A mother is devastated after a fire destroyed her residence in Knowle, Bristol, leaving her and her seven children with nothing. Hayley Lundie, 30, described the situation as a nightmare, as their council-owned property was consumed by flames on Monday afternoon. Firefighters from Bedminster and Temple swiftly responded to extinguish the blaze.
Following the incident, the Avon Fire and Rescue Service initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire. Hayley alleged that the fire resulted from a prolonged struggle to have Bristol City Council address faulty electrical issues in her home, which a surveyor had deemed unsafe.
The family, comprising Hayley, her partner, and seven children aged between eight months and nine years, moved into the council property in April 2024. They are now faced with the challenging task of finding new accommodation after losing all their belongings.
Hayley had raised concerns about various problems in the house since July 2025, including faulty electrics. Despite efforts to seek repairs, no action was taken, leading to the tragic fire incident. The family had to vacate the unsafe premises and seek refuge elsewhere.
In the midst of these challenges, Hayley’s infant son fell ill and had to be rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital. Meanwhile, her partner, after dropping the children at school, returned home to find their house engulfed in flames, adding to the family’s distress.
Following the fire, Hayley sought assistance from Bristol City Council and was provided temporary accommodation in Easton for a limited period. A crowdfunding page has been set up to aid the family in the aftermath of the fire, reflecting the community’s support during this difficult time.
Bristol City Council expressed sympathy for the family and confirmed ongoing support to address their needs. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.