Family Says They Had ‘Seconds to Escape’ After Van Exploded Outside Their Home, Sending ‘Flames Up the Walls’

A family is speaking out about having just “seconds to escape” after their home was severely damaged in a “terrifying” fire only weeks before Christmas.

On Nov. 27, a van burst into flames outside the Healy family’s home near the town of Huddersfield in the U.K., causing two explosions just 20 seconds apart, the family told the BBC.

Daron Healy, who lives there with his wife Eunice and their daughter Charlotte, recalled to the outlet, “There was a massive bang and then flames all over our windows,” adding, “Our home is wrecked and it’s heartbreaking.”

Eunice said the family was “unbelievably lucky” to make it out alive. “I think we had about 20 seconds between the first explosion, which sent flames up the walls, and the second blast when the fire became really bad all over the door and windows,” she explained.

“It was terrifying. All the workmen in the street were panicking as well,” she continued. “At first I was in shock; I just stood there and stared at it, but Daron grabbed me and shouted that we had to move.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family following the “heartbreaking” incident.

“They have lost much of what they relied on day-to-day, and the financial strain of rebuilding during the holiday season has added even more pressure. Despite the devastation, they remain hopeful and deeply grateful for any support offered,” reads the description on the fundraising page.

Eunice told the BBC she is thankful for all the help they’ve received. “We’re so grateful for all the donations and the support, but it’s not really about the money; we just want somewhere to live,” she said.

“At the moment we’re bed-hopping in hotels and living out of a suitcase. We don’t know where we will be from one day to the next,” she added.

Daron said the family had been living in the area for 16 years. “We got married here, Charlotte went to school here, and to be forced out like this is devastating,” he said, according to the BBC.

“There’s a house available on the same street, but it’s much more than we were paying in rent, and we’re not sure how we would fund that at the moment,” he continued.

Speaking about the timing of the tragedy, Eunice told the outlet, “We should be putting the tree up and wrapping our presents. But we can’t do any of that, and we don’t even know where we will be on Christmas morning. Fortunately, we have an amazing community here looking out for us and we are so grateful for that.”

The incident has been recorded as “accidental” by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The subcontractor, Lanes Group — which was carrying out utilities work on behalf of Yorkshire Water at the time — said a full investigation into the cause of the fire would be conducted, per the BBC.

The company will “continue to work closely with all affected parties,” the outlet reported.

The GoFundMe page had raised over $2,600 as of Monday, Dec. 8.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Lanes Group did not immediately respond to requests for additional information, and reporters have also attempted to reach out to the Healy family.Thinking