Family devastated after returning from day out to find their home destroyed

A family who lost everything in a devastating house fire have shared their 'sobering' ordeal. Nathan Abbott and his partner, Katie Craddock, were attending a fundraising event with their children when they received the shocking news that their home was ablaze on Saturday night (October 25). In a state of panic, the couple hurriedly took a taxi back to their residence on Old Road, Hyde, only to discover it had been completely destroyed by the fire. Katie remembered: "I got a call from one of my friends to say her sister had driven past her house and there were three fire engines outside with a ladder up to the window. Read more "I saw my dog, Teddy, standing in the road and I just ran straight over, she had to be resuscitated for 15 minutes, but luckily she's alright." The property held sentimental value for Katie as it was her childhood home, which she later shared with her partner Nathan and their children - Rebecca, 12, who is registered partially sighted, Emily, eight, seven year old Harley, who has autism, and two year old Freddy, reports the Manchester Evening News . Nathan, 32, revealed that the fire originated from a fridge they had purchased brand new in 2021. He told the Manchester Evening News that the event they attended marked the first time the entire family had left the house in a year. "It's terrifying," he expressed. "At that time I'd be making tea for me and the missus. The kids would be upstairs, it would have killed me instantly. It's a harrowing thought." With Christmas fast approaching, early presents for the youngsters were reduced to ashes and an eagerly anticipated family trip to Disneyland has now been cast into doubt. "When we eventually got back inside, everything was black, you could just smell smoke," Nathan explained. "Everything was destroyed, the kitchen was gone. There were some toys in there, a couple outfits and things. "We were supposed to be going to Disneyland in January, a lot of the stuff we had saved for that has gone into this and a lot of the stuff we had bought for that is gone. "We've spent a couple of days clearing it out and it's not felt as real because all your stuff is still there. "We've not been able to salvage anything, maybe a couple of pictures. But today, standing in here and walking into empty room, to empty room, where you can actually see that you've got nothing is sobering." Nathan and Katie's neighbours and local community have rallied round to help the family get back on their feet. A GoFundMe page has been established, which you can find here.