A brave dad smashed in a door in a bid to stop his daughter’s house from going up in flames.
Jack Woonton raced from his own home after a neighbour told him Kimberley and Chris McMillan’s house in Kelloholm’s Greystone Avenue was on fire.
But the 57-year-old was beaten back by the heat after smashing down the door with a mallet and an axe.
Kimberley and Chris were both at work at the time, while their two young children were at grandfather Jack’s house.
But their pets, dog Forrest and cat Nala, perished in the smoke-filled building.
The devastated family has been left homeless after the incident on New Year’s eve.
Kimberley’s sister Jacqui Haddow said: “It was a sad end to 2019 for my sister and her family. Her family home caught fire and it destroyed most of their belongings.
“The firemen who were on scene were amazing and did the best they could but unfortunately the family pets didn’t make it.”
Jacqui, 27, was also at her parents’ house when they were alerted to the fire.
She said: “Kimberley’s neighbour ran along to tell us and my dad raced there and managed to smash the back door in to try to save the pets but the heat was too much for him to do
anything.
“The kitchen is totally destroyed and the rest of the house is jet black.
“There’s absolutely no way they can live there.
“Kimberley and Chris were at work at the time.
“We couldn’t get in contact with them and the first Kimberley knew about it was when she finished at Brown Brothers, which is practically across the road from the house.
“She saw the smoke billowing and people told her in the street her house was on fire. She was in total shock.”
Kimberley, 29, and 30-year-old Chris had only lived in the house for around a year with their children Maxwell, nine, and five-year-old Haillie.
The community is now rallying together to help the family.
A JustGiving page has been set up and people have been offering them clothes and items for another house.
Jack thanked the fire crews from Sanquhar and New Cumnock as well as Crossriggs vets following the fire, which happened around 1.30pm.
He added: “We are now just waiting on a report coming back to establish the cause of the
fire.
“It could have been a far different story if it had happened during the night. It’s unthinkable.
“They are devastated at losing their pets but my grandkids, daughter and son-in-law are here to tell the tale and to make more memories.
“The community spirit of the people of Kelloholm, Kirkconnel and Sanquhar is second to none and I want to thank them all.”
To help the family by making a donation, click here.
