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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kaitlin Easton

Scots pensioner loses everything as horror fire destroys home of over 30 years

A Scots pensioner who worked in a supermarket during the pandemic to pay off her mortgage lost everything after her house went up in flames at the weekend.

Agnes Thomson and son Jamie, from Baillieston, watched in horror as the inferno ravaged their home of 30 years on Saturday morning.

The 71-year-old has worked throughout lockdown in Morrisons to pay her mortgage off and son Jamie is crushed knowing she has lost everything after "putting every penny she had" into the home.

The pair had a lucky escape and fled the fire unharmed after 37-year-old Jamie raised the alarm.

They are now coming to terms with the extent of the damage, and the insurance will not cover contents within the property.

A fundraiser has been launched to help with repair costs (Jamie Thomson)

He told the Record: "On Friday night into Saturday morning about 4.30am I had fell asleep on the couch which is just next to the kitchen.

"I woke up and heard a noise - it must have been a bit of plasterboard falling from the fire - so I got up to see what it was.

"I opened the kitchen door and I've never seen anything like this in my puff. It was like something out of a movie - it was crazy.

Jamie and Agnes watched the house go up in flames (Jamie Thomson)

"My mum was across the other side of the house and I wake her up to get her out. There's kids in the flats below so I was manically going around trying to get them up and out.

"Then we basically just stood and watched my mums house burn. It was horrific."

A fundraiser has been launched by a close friend to try and aid repair costs as Jamie vowed to "work his fingers to the bone" to try and get his mum back into her home.

Agnes has lived in the house for 33-years and raised her four children there.

The kitchen was completely destroyed in the horrific blaze and there is smoke, heat and water damage throughout the rest of the home.

Devastated Agnes lot 70 years of beloved sentimental items in the flames, including numerous pictures of Agnes' six grandchildren.

Jamie added: "A carpet can be repaired but that, that you can't get back."

He continued: "My mum is a pensioner and she is still working to pay off the mortgage to buy something and maybe leave something to her kids and grandkids.

"Every penny she ever had went into that house and everything went up in flames.

"She raised four kids on her own. She's the hardest working woman.

"It is horrific but she's made of steel and nails. We are distraught but she's not the type of person who would show that.

The fire started in the kitchen (Jamie Thomson)

"I had this image in my head when I was watching it burn of her getting up and going to work on a cold winters morning - it's all that hard work that is lost."

Jamie's close friend James Kennaway launched the fundraising page.

Speaking to the Record James said: "Jamie's a very good friend, one of the best. He's had a rough few years and his mum has had to work through covid although she's in the vulnerable age category.

"Agnes is lovely and has worked hard all her days and just when she should be enjoying her later years this happens.

"Jamie is a true friend and he seemed like he was getting on top of things and then there's a big house fire shaped obstacle in his way.

"I just wanted to do my bit and to hopefully relieve some of the stress in terms of money worries and showing that there's a wee community out there that cares."

To donate to the fundraiser click here.

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