A woman has revealed how she lost everything in a “horror” New Year’s Eve blaze because of a common mistake – and is now urging people to unplug electricals before it’s too late.
Sciarra, as she’s known online, had only lived in the home for a year.
Before moving in, she had multiple professional inspections for any hazards, and with a clean slate, the artist and designer didn’t expect anything bad to happen.
But when she woke up to someone yelling “fire”, her heart sank, and within moments, everything she had worked hard for – and loved – was lost.
The 28-year-old is sharing her “living nightmare” in a bid to warn people to unplug electricals, even when they’re switched off.
“I was terrified,” Sciarra told Need To Know.
“I had never experienced anything like that [before].
“I didn’t know what to do or what to grab.
“Everything felt unreal, almost dream-like.
“I woke up to someone yelling: ‘Fire’ over and over again.
“As I opened my bedroom door, I saw a massive black cloud of smoke pouring out of the room next to mine.
“The flames were already ginormous.
“I ran downstairs to wake everybody else in the house up.
“I grabbed my purse, then ran to the garage for my two bunnies, put them in my car, and then rang for help.
“My biggest fear was that I wasn’t going to escape in time.”
It was the first home Sciarra had ever owned.
She had been hosting her family, her roommate and her partner to celebrate New Year’s Eve in 2023, all of whom stayed the night, when the blaze broke.
The following morning, at 10am, she learned about her new reality.
Sciarra, who lives in Tennessee, US, said: “Someone told me to try using a hose.
“I attempted it, but it did nothing against the fire.
“I moved my car down the street because it had been in the driveway, and I didn’t want it to catch fire.
“There were many electronics in the home, such as chargers and multiple computers.
“We believe one of these possibly sparked because the fire started on the carpet – and it spread extremely fast.”
The fire, which started in a bedroom upstairs, spread across the entire second floor within minutes.
Luckily, firefighters swiftly arrived at the scene and stopped the entire house from burning down.
Sciarra, as a result, has lost all of her belongings, including her entire purse collection that had been built over 20 years.
All her clothes and furniture have also been burned to a crisp, as well as her jewellery.
Sentimental items from her mum, who passed in 2021, are also gone, along with expensive studio equipment.
She estimates “hundreds of thousands” of dollars have been lost – and currently, two years on, she’s still homeless.
The singer is staying with family members, in hotels and Airbnbs for now.
In a bid to help other people in a similar situation, she’s designed a line of sunglasses under her self-titled fashion line.
All sale proceeds are being donated to fire victims.
Sciarra added: “I was so excited to finally have a space after living in a small apartment where I could host friends and family overnight.
“It’s been such a long and overwhelming process.
“Emotionally, it’s been very difficult.
“I’ve pretty much been a digital nomad since.
“I’ve been trying to get my home rebuilt, though I don’t know when this will happen.
“Make sure to unplug appliances when you’re away this Christmas.
“Do not leave computers, batteries, phones, or other electronics on the floor — especially carpet.
“Be extra careful. I was only in my home for one year before this happened.
“And it was taken away from me in an instant.”
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