My house burnt down two days before Christmas. I lost everything, and gained so much | Matt Herbert

We got out alive, and my life has been transformed. This is nothing but a great opportunity to help other people

It was 4am. I awoke. I had already decided I wouldn't walk this morning. After hours spent traipsing around Northland the previous night trying to complete last-minute Christmas shopping with my eldest daughter, I needed rest. But I couldn't settle.

I got up quietly, trying not to disturb my sleeping wife, and went through to the living room. I sat at the dining table and started watching YouTube on my laptop. Normally I would wear my headphones, but this morning I simply turned the volume down low. If I hadn't made that decision, I might not have heard the noises outside.