AN asthmatic woman from Wentworth has been forced to live in the charred remains of her home after a fire recently gutted her property, leaving her with nothing but the clothes on her back.

Bronwyn Newtown-Barker, 58, is struggling to cope in the aftermath of the blaze, which was allegedly sparked by faulty electrical cables.

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The fire has not only left her battling, but has also worsened her health condition, as she is now forced to inhale smoke and ash residue daily due to the debris that has yet to be cleared.

Newtown-Barker was inside her house when the flames broke out during the day, losing her possessions and her vital asthma medication.

According to her, when the fire broke out, she grabbed her two dogs, crucial documents and her wheel walker, which she used to wheel herself out of the burning house.

With no family support, she faces daily health risks from the lingering dust.

Newtown-Barker, who has been living with asthma for decades, lives alone in the one room that was not gutted by the fire.
Recounting the terrifying moments before her escape, she said, “I could only grab my puppies, some paperwork and my wheel walker. Everything else, TV, clothes, and other household, were burnt in the fire,” she said.

She said the firefighters responded swiftly, but it was too late to save her belongings. The rubble has not been cleared, and this is making her daily life a struggle.

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Wentworth Angels has launched an emergency campaign to raise funds for her. The organisation’s founder, Tracey Williams, said Newtown-Barker is struggling to make ends meet, and the thick dust that is still lingering in her home makes matters worse.

She said that Newtown-Barker relies on a nebuliser for up to six times a day to manage her asthma, but with the electricity supply damaged, she’s unable to use it.

“We could not stand by while she sleeps in the shelter. We are pulling out all stops to get sponsors who can assist with painting, clothing, food and roofing.

“We are appealing for floor tiles, as her current tiling is destroyed. The situation is dire, and we are calling on every individual to lend a helping hand. We are also calling on businesses and community members for assistance. This woman has no support system and every contribution from clothing to building supplies can make a huge difference,” Williams added.

To make a donation call Tracey Williams on 074 703 1393.

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