A former professional rugby player is hoping to be reunited with his family under one roof after their house was devastated by fire leaving their lives turned “upside down”.
John Stankevitch, 42, said he, his partner, three children, and two dogs have all ended up staying with different relatives since the inferno ripped through the attic of their home in Widnes at around 4.44am on Friday.
He told the ECHO that efforts to find somewhere to stay together have been hindered in part by the struggle to find somewhere that accepts pets.
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John added Halton’s emergency accommodation service had asked for “proof” the house was uninhabitable leaving him wondering “what sort of proof they need - there’s a big hole in the roof”.
The blaze not only destroyed his shirts and medals from his rugby league career, which spanned top-flight spells with Widnes and St Helens and triumphs in the Super League Grand Final and World Club Challenge, but other precious family keepsakes including a wedding dress and other items that belonged to his late mother Cathie, who died in a tragic road traffic collision when she was hit by a van in 2015 and whose loss inspired John to set up the Cathie Stankevitch Foundation helping disadvantaged children and later on residents in general.
John said the house used to be his parents’ but his father couldn’t face returning to it without his wife following her death.
Pictures published by John on social media showed the charred aftermath of Friday’s blaze, as he wrote that were it not for his daughter Sian’s fast actions in raising the alarm, “we would have all been dead as the roof caved in” or trapped at the top of the stairs.
Writing online on Sunday, he said: “The attic was filled with everything that mum kept from our childhood, and even mum's wedding dress.
“It was much more to us than just bricks and mortar.
“That is all gone now, it's devastating, but the memories will live on forever despite not having the physical items.
“We don't have much at the moment, but then again we have everything, each other.
“Myself, (partner) Kerry and the kids are so appreciative that we're in so many people’s thoughts.”
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has confirmed that an accidental electrical fault was found to be the cause of the fire, which began in the attic above the bathroom.
John told the ECHO the damage was so bad that firefighters were unable to find the exact reason for ignition, with rodents nibbling through wires or a loose wire in a light among the possibilities.
The situation remained a “bit of a nightmare” with their home life turned “upside down” and John and Kerry “continually looking” for somewhere to bring the family back together during this difficult time.
He told the ECHO: “It’s tough.
“There’s me, Kerry, and the three kids and we’ve got two dogs as well.
“We’ve called dozens and dozens private-let and none of them accept pets.
“I’ve tried to explain the situation but they’re not having it at all.”
John added the fire was "absolutely gutting" for the family but "we've got to be positive, that's all we can do".
He said: “We’ve got to try and rebuild it. It’s a nightmare. Everything, all my mum’s things were stored in the attic. They’ve all gone.
“All the memories she kept from us being kids and her wedding dress and wedding photographs - all the things we can’t make digital.
“All my rugby stuff, playing shirts and medals and everything. All the kids’ stuff from when they were little, their first pair of shoes. All through an electrical fault.”
Since disaster struck, Mike O’Connor, a friend of John’s, has launched a fundraising appeal to help the Stankevitch family during the “horrendous” aftermath and as a gesture of support.
He said: “John is well known throughout the borough for his tireless charity work and for working with kids in rugby League, so with John’s permission, I thought that it would be a nice gesture for everyone in the ( Halton ) borough to help John and his family in their hour of need.”
A CFRS spokesperson said four fire engines, from Widnes, Runcorn, Penketh and Chester plus an aerial appliance attended the incident.
They said: “A fire involving the insulation of a cavity wall and the loft of a timber framed property was extinguished by firefighters using a hose reel.”
Visit Mike O'Connor’s fundraising appeal page here .
