A Gloucester couple have been left devastated after a fire, sparked by an exploding e-bike battery next door, destroyed nearly all of their possessions and forced them into temporary accommodation.
The blaze erupted on Shelduck Road in Quedgeley on the evening of Tuesday, January 13. Firefighters battled the fire for over two hours, but despite their efforts, the mid-terrace home was severely damaged. Two kittens inside the property tragically lost their lives, though the two young men living there escaped unharmed. They believe the fire started when an e-bike battery exploded while charging inside the house.
Adjacent properties—most notably the home of Matt Wood, 47, and his partner Heidi Neale-Thomas, 52—suffered from extensive smoke damage. The fire damaged their house’s ground floor completely and the first floor partially. Smoke poured through the vents, walls, and loft, destroying around 90 percent of their belongings.
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Matt, a 14-year military veteran and former ambulance worker, described the loss of cherished mementos: “All our memories have been wiped out. Heidi’s late husband’s belongings, her daughter’s artwork, and my military gear—including my medals—were all lost in the smoke. We had insurance, but it’s the sentimental things that truly hurt.”
Heidi, who has lived in the home for 16 years with her two daughters, expressed the emotional toll: “Our house held so many happy memories. It was always a safe place for my daughters, and now that’s gone. It’s incredibly painful.”
On the night of the fire, the couple had been watching Star Wars when they noticed smoke filling their living room. Matt recounted, “At first, I thought the smell was from neighbors smoking outside. Then the doorbell rang and I saw the flustered occupants of the next house. By the time I realized it was a fire, the smoke was thick inside.”
Luckily, Matt and Heidi escaped unharmed despite concerns about Heidi’s partial deafness and Matt’s leg injury, which impacts his mobility. They now reside at a Holiday Inn while awaiting repairs, which could take six to nine months due to extensive structural and smoke damage.
“It’s comfortable and safe here, but we’re overwhelmed with worry. My PTSD makes it even harder to cope with this trauma,” said Matt. The couple’s anticipated summer trip to Disney World, planned by Matt’s late mother, has been overshadowed by the financial strain caused by the fire.
While their insurance covers accommodation, further expenses remain uncertain as surveyors assess the full extent of the damage. The restoration may require removing the roof, rebuilding walls, and comprehensive cleaning throughout their home.
In a show of community support, friends and neighbors have rallied to help. A local restaurant manager set up a GoFundMe campaign for Matt and Heidi, which has already raised over £1,200. “The kindness we’ve received is overwhelming,” Matt shared. “We never expected so much support, and it truly means the world to us.”