A NEWLYWED couple have been left homeless after a suspected extension lead fire erupted and completely gutted their home.
Johnny and Jess Kosma-Whitty have been left with an “empty burnt-out shell” after the horror blaze broke out at their flat in Northfleet, .
Johnny and Jess Kosma-Whitty got married in July last year Credit: Cover Images
But they now face huge bills and repair costs after their home was completely gutted by a fire Credit: Cover Images
Emergency crews were scrambled to their maisonette in Hatton Close shortly after 5.30am on May 18.
Jess, 30, and Johnny, 29, had been sleeping when the fire sparked in the kitchen – believed to have been caused by a fault with the extension lead.
The couple, who married last July, are now left with “just the clothes they stand in” after the devastating blaze.
Shocking pictures revealed the aftermath of the fire, with burnt-out wallpaper, singed sofas and debris scattered across the floor.
Jess told how she had heard bizarre noises on the same morning, but had dismissed it as her two cats Arlo and Theo.
But after opening the door to their kitchen, located next door to the bedroom, a “massive cloud of smoke” hit her.
She screamed at her husband to wake up after seeing flames and desperately hunted for her cats before running out the front door.
They left the enflamed building without their phones and immediately knocked on their neighbours‘ doors to get them to call 999.
The blaze is believed to have been sparked by an extension lead Credit: Cover Images
The couple are now staying at Jess’ parents’ home while they look for a temporary home Credit: Cover Images
Firefighters, including a volunteer response team, arrived at the property, extinguishing the flames and clearing the smoke with high-pressure fans.
The couple are now staying at Jess’ parents’ home, where they are sleeping on an air mattress, while they search for a temporary home.
They have managed to salvage a few boxes of belongings from their home, which has only just been declared structurally safe by engineers.
Jess said she would always ensure switches were turned off before going to bed, but vowed never to use extension leads again in the future.
She told the MailOnline : “I used to do a ritual every night, I’d make sure the hob was off and that any switches that shouldn’t have been on were off.
“I’m quite safe with making sure things are off, but you just never think that that’s going to happen.
“When we moved in we put in so much hard work and all our into doing it up to how we wanted it. It’s really gutting, it’s devastating.”
A page, set up to help support the newlywed couple, has so far raised more than £4,000.
It reads: “They escaped with their lives from a devastating fire which has destroyed everything they worked so hard to achieve.
“They are left homeless with just the clothes they stand in. Please help them at such a devastating time.
“The community spirit to all pull together to help those in need shines through at difficult times like these.
“Any little amount will add up and will go some way in helping them overcome this tragedy so early in their story.”
You can donate to the couple here .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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