Skip to content

Hengrave: Family homeless after fire in thatched property

Ash Humphries Fire at a property in Hengrave, SuffolkAsh Humphries
Cheryl Alder had to watch her home in Hengrave burn

A woman left homeless after a fire in a large thatched building says she feels "truly ruined".

Cheryl Alder's home was one of five seriously damaged in a blaze on Bury Road, Hengrave, in the early hours of 25 January.

As her house was not insured, she, her partner and 17-year-old son are staying with a friend in another county.

"It literally feels like we have nothing, our whole lives have fallen apart," she said.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said about 70 firefighters - in 15 crews from across the county - tackled the fire.

Investigations are ongoing, but the service said it looked to have been an accidental fire that was potentially started by a log burner.

There were no reported injuries.

Ash Humphries Fire at a property in Hengrave, SuffolkAsh Humphries
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service sent 15 crews sent to the scene from all across the county

Ms Alder, 52, said they were woken by neighbours and when they opened the back door they were confronted with "just a wall of smoke".

They all left the building safely but, even after the arrival of firefighters, "just had to watch it burn".

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Fire at a property in Hengrave, SuffolkSuffolk Fire and Rescue Service
Firefighters worked through the night at the thatched property

Ms Alder said: "Every day just feels scary because we don't know where we're going to end up or where we're staying.

"I feel truly ruined - I can't think about it too deeply."

Ash Humphries Fire at a property in Hengrave, SuffolkAsh Humphries
Ms Alder's property was not insured because she was awaiting an electrical check

The property was uninsured because she was told she could not renew until a recommended 10-year electrical check was carried out.

Ms Alder said she had been waiting for an appointment date from an electrician when the fire broke out.

Jamie Niblock/BBC Hengrave house after blazeJamie Niblock/BBC
The aftermath of the blaze shows the devastation caused to the row of homes

A friend has set up a fundraising page for the family and Ms Alder said she had approached the council to try to find alternative local accommodation closer to home.

"I desperately need to get my son back to college. We need to get back to work, but without stable accommodation I don't know how we do that," she said.

"There are probably some things [in the house] we can salvage, but to do that we have to rake wet thatch from the rooms."

Alex Dunlop/BBC Cheryl and AshAlex Dunlop/BBC
Ms Alder said she and her partner wanted to return to the area

West Suffolk Council said it was unable to comment on individual cases, but it would work to help any resident in similar circumstances.

A spokesman said if a resident became homeless, was not insured and had nowhere else to stay, they would be offered emergency accommodation.

presentational grey line

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]