Grandmother left with nothing after fire destroys flat in Ebbsfleet Walk, Northfleet, injuring grandson

A traumatised gran has told of the horrific moment her 12-year-old grandson was trapped in his burning bedroom while she screamed at him to jump from the window.

Sue Walpole has described it as “the stuff of nightmares” as family members were forced out of her flat while young Louie found himself surrounded by flames.

The 62-year-old, who has mobility issues, managed to get outside to safety alongside her carer, her son and his pregnant girlfriend.

But they were terrified at what had happened to Louie who was still inside the ground floor home in Ebbsfleet Walk, Northfleet.

She told KentOnline: “My carer stayed over that night due to my health.

“He woke at 4am when he heard a loud bang and went towards the bedroom where it came from, but then there was another bang.

“This time, there was fire raging through the bedroom door across the ceiling. He started shouting ‘fire, fire everyone out’.

“Everyone was shouting at Louie to jump out of the window. None of us could even get into the bedroom.”

The youngster managed to make it through the window but the drama wasn’t over.

Sue added: “His leg was on fire and his pyjamas and blanket were stuck to it. It was just awful.”

The youngster had suffered severe burns and was handed over to paramedics who rushed him to the specialist East Grinstead Hospital in Sussex, where he stayed for three days, undergoing skin grafts.

Having lived in the flat for 17 years, Sue said watching it consumed by the fire was “heartbreaking”.

“There were flames everywhere,” she said. “I have never seen anything like it. We just stood and watched. It took hold so quick - within two minutes.

“They just could not contain it. All the windows exploded. It was so frightening.”

Nothing from within the home could be saved including furniture, clothes, possessions and items such as family photos that can never be replaced.

“It’s just a mess,” Sue said. “We’ve got nothing.”

She has been given rented accommodation in Parrock Street, Gravesend, and told it will be 18 months at least before she is back home.

‘I’ve never seen anything like it’

Meanwhile, a still-traumatised Louie is still unable to walk properly and has to return to East Grinstead every three days to have his dressing changed.

A £3,000 gofundme has been set up to help fund the replacement of everything the family lost in the September 29 incident.

To donate, click the link here.

Sue said: “I would be so grateful and so thankful for anything people could give.”

A fire service spokesman said crews eventually left the scene at 6.15am, adding: “Three fire engines attended and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames.”

The cause is believed to be accidental.