Fenne (24) and her 2.5-year-old daughter Olivia got the fright of their lives when they had to flee their home due to a fire on Monday night. The neighbor had set his own home on fire and was killed. The flames spread to Fenne and Olivia’s house, the house is uninhabitable for the time being.
On Monday night things went terribly wrong in the Elsbeemd in Oosterhout. A 59-year-old man set his own corner house on fire. The neighbor’s rental home also caught fire. The residents of this house, Fenne and Olivia, jumped out of the window of the first floor together with their dog.
After the escape, mother and daughter were taken to the hospital for a check-up; there was nothing serious wrong with them. So they are physically fine, but they lost their house and all their belongings in the fire.
Ruby Gelderblom, Fenne’s best friend, is therefore one fundraiser started. “They are really shocked and their house is currently uninhabitable. They sleep with Fenne’s mother and sometimes with her ex.”
“I can thank God on my knees that they are still here.”
Ruby feels powerless and she wants to do something to help her friend and little Olivia. “Fenne is a young mother. She just had this house for a year and a half that she worked hard for. And then something like this happens. I can thank God on my knees that they are still here.”
According to Ruby, fear dominates Fenne. “She doesn’t dare to be alone and she doesn’t dare to walk the streets in the dark.” The mother and daughter also no longer have any belongings. “Stuff is only a side issue, but there are things with sentimental value. For example, Olivia’s first drawings and clothes are gone, and Fenne is very sad about that.”
“I sincerely wish them that they can get some peace and get on with their lives.”
The housing development is looking for another home for Fenne and Olivia, but that will take some time. “And then you have an empty house without any contents,” says Ruby. “You cannot build a life with the amount that may be reimbursed from the insurance. Because the fire was started, it is not yet clear exactly how much will be reimbursed.”
Ruby hopes to raise approximately €10,000 with the crowdfunding so that Fenne and Olivia can build something beautiful again. “They are two sweet, spontaneous girls. I sincerely wish them that they can get some peace and get on with their lives.”
Talking about thoughts of suicide helps. You can call the 113 Suicide Prevention Foundation 24 hours a day on 0800 0113 or chat via en 113.nl.