Wisbech house fire victim Lisa Fisher ‘loses everything to absolutely horrendous’ blaze

A Wisbech woman who has lost everything she owns in a devastating house fire - including her two pet cats - has described the situation as “absolutely horrendous”.

Lisa Fisher, 47, suffered a devastating house fire at her property on Norwich Road. The blaze broke out on the morning of Monday, March 3 and was started by a rental tumble dryer that wasn’t in use at the time.

The fire made its way throughout her property and left extensive damage to the building and Lisa’s belongings.

She managed to get herself and her dog safely out of the property where she had lived since 2012.

However, her two cats, 14-year-old Kissy and seven-year-old Lola, died in the fire.

Now, Lisa’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help their loved one raise some funds to help rebuild her life.

Lisa said: “I left home at 16, my home has always been my safe place. Without that place, I’m struggling.

“Not having a home to lay your head down is hard. I’m lucky to be staying between my two daughters at the moment, but it’s not my home.”

She added: “I’m still trying to come to terms with it all. Everything I had was gone. It has been absolutely horrendous.

“I don’t know how I am coping with it all. I feel hurt and angry, but I feel thankful and happy at the same time.

“It’s not about the furniture I have lost, that is the sort of stuff that is replaceable. It’s the little things like the stuff my grandchildren have made for me, Christening gowns that have been in the family and family photos.”

Lisa told the Fenland Citizen what the moment was like when she found the fire.

“At around 10.30pm the night before, I used the tumble dryer and turned it off and left the door wide open. I went to bed but later got woken up to the sound of the smoke alarm and the cats scratching me.

“There was thick smoke everywhere and fire coming from the drum of the tumble dryer.

“It looked like somebody was sitting in the tumble dryer with a smoke cannon in there. I pulled my top over my face and called 999 and my family.

“By the time the fire engine got there, the whole house was on fire.”

Lisa has now been left disappointed with the temporary accommodation options she has been given by her housing association Clarion Housing Group.

She has been offered a flat on Napier Court in Wisbech, where she would be unable to take her pet dog, or a hotel room in Cambridge.

Lisa explained that she has health conditions where she suffers frequent seizures, so she would feel uncomfortable being located further away from her family.

A Clarion spokesperson said: “We recognise that this is a very difficult time for Ms Fisher and we have been working hard to offer support.

“Since the fire, Ms Fisher has been provided with financial assistance while we have worked to identify suitable accommodation.

“Our housing team has offered several alternative properties in the Wisbech area and will continue to work with Ms Fisher to find a suitable replacement that meets her needs.”