(Image: Sharon Hodgson)
Two sisters are fundraising to help rebuild their mum’s kitchen after a house fire left it destroyed.
The kitchen was damaged in a blaze at Maureen Knowles' home in Bramley on September 12.
The fire started after she accidentally turned on the wrong hob while boiling an egg, igniting a pan of oil she had used to cook chips.
Her daughters, Sharon Hodgson and Rebecca Robson, launched a GoFundMe appeal to help cover the cost of repairs.
They hope to raise enough money to surprise their mum with a fully refurbished kitchen.
Sharon Hodgson said: "She was timing her egg and heard a spitting sound and went into the kitchen."
The kitchen (Image: Sharon Hodgson)
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Kitchen left severely damaged
After discovering the fire, Maureen called her daughter, who then contacted the fire service.
Ms Hodgson said: "I rang the fire brigade for her. I think she panicked a little bit."
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews managed to contain the blaze, but the kitchen was left severely damaged and other parts of the property were affected by smoke.
Maureen, who lives on a small pension, did not have home insurance.
She is currently staying with family while work is carried out on her home.
The kitchen (Image: Sharon Hodgson)
Family launches surprise fundraising appeal
Her daughters have kept the fundraiser a secret in hopes of surprising her with a new kitchen.
Ms Hodgson said: "She is shocked. She's a tough lady, but she's very shaken up.
"I know it's affected her sleep. She just wants to get home.
"Everything in the kitchen's gone. We had to throw all the pots and pans out.
"They've stripped the kitchen right back to the brickwork."
Friends and family have donated items such as a microwave, air fryer, and crockery.
Support from local community
Local businesses have also offered support, with contractors stepping in to help at discounted rates.
Ms Hodgson said: "We tried to get builders in but couldn't get anybody until February.
"We contacted a local company, Concept Construction, and when we explained what had happened they moved some work around and came in to help at a discounted price."
The kitchen (Image: Sharon Hodgson)
The sisters were encouraged to start the fundraiser after receiving messages from people asking how they could help.
Ms Hodgson said: "The neighbours were brilliant as well.
"They all came out and made sure she was okay.
"They knew she didn't have insurance.
"As a family we're going to contribute what we can, but other people wanted to do the same."
Raise awareness
She also hopes the appeal will raise awareness about the importance of home insurance.
Ms Hodgson said: "Make people aware of how easy this can happen.
"Make sure your parents and elderly relatives have got home insurance.
"Even if it raises awareness for that, that's a good thing."