Family return home after fire
A family celebrated returning to their home following a fire that swept through a row of houses in Merstham last year. The blaze, which started in a neighbouring property, spread through four houses. One of the homes damaged is owned by Raven and is the family home of this young girl who was living there with her parents.
Following extensive repair work, including a new roof, new kitchen, rewiring and complete redecoration, the family is now over the moon to be home again and settling back into family life.
They were left with nothing following the blaze, but thankfully a local support group set up a donation hub for clothes, food and household items and a fundraising site was launched, raising over £11,000 in just two days to help the families affected by the fire.
Mum said: “Until this happens to you, you have no idea of the cost to replace just basic items in a home. We have been really lucky; neighbours and friends in the Merstham area clubbed together, raising funds to help all of us affected by the fire, so this will help us refurnish our house. We are just so happy to be home.”
Their daughter added: “The fire was really scary and I was sad, but everyone was super kind and helped us lots. I am so happy to be back in our home now.”
Following the fire in June 2021, the family was offered alternative accommodation but chose to stay with relatives while work was carried out, wishing to return home to their family and friends in the community rather than move somewhere new.
Sue Young, Head of Housing Services, said: “It’s been a traumatic and unsettling time for the family and so to see them back home is wonderful.
“On a practical note, it has highlighted the importance of customers ensuring they have contents insurance to cover their belongings and rent in the case of an emergency such as this. Unfortunately, at the time of the fire the family did not have contents insurance, so they are now keen to urge others to make sure the same doesn’t happen to them.”
Raven insures the bricks and mortar of its properties, so the repairs to their home were covered by our insurance, but unfortunately this does not extend to your contents or rent.
Although this situation occurred following an accidental fire, this is a good time to remind all customers of the importance of allowing us or our contractors into your home to carry out essential gas and safety checks. They are a legal requirement and tenancy obligation. Failure to do so could lead to serious consequences such as an injunction or a fire.