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Newcastle man living in burned out house

Feb 15 2009 by David Old, Sunday Sun

“When I woke up I could smell smoke. I opened the door and there was thick black smoke everywhere, I couldn’t get out of the door.

“I just remember opening the window and shouting ‘Help, my house is on fire’. I can’t remember anything after that.”

Ken was eventually rescued by firefighters and spent a week in the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

When he returned home it was a mess, but he could not afford to move. Now he has been told he will be evicted on March 3.

He said: “It’s been a terrible few years. My brother, mother and father died, my marriage has broken down, I’ve had to give up my business and now this.

“It’s very worrying not having anywhere lined up to move into. I’ve been walking two miles to my sister’s to have a wash and eat. I won’t even try to use the cooker or heating because it’s been damaged by the fire.

“The TV and all the double-glazing exploded in the fire. I used to keep the house really nice and had even bought new doors to put in. But now everything is ruined.

“It’s been my home for 11 years but now I’ll be glad to be out of it.”

Ken said he had been to Newcastle City Council to ask about being re-housed but had not heard back. A council spokesman said it carefully considered each application.

His landlord was not available for comment when contacted by the Sunday Sun.

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