Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
FULL REPORT AND PICTURES
Amid a scene of total devastation, dozens of householders are this week picking up the pieces of their shattered lives.
Miraculously, no one was hurt in a blaze that tore through a city centre block, leaving up to 45 homes damaged and in many cases completely destroyed.
Yet numerous families who have lost their worldly possessions now face life in alternative accommodation while permanent new homes are found.
Among them is the mother of a one-week-old baby and a mum-of-four whose fiancé died in tragic circumstances just four years ago.
Demolition crews have set to work tearing down the wreckage of the four-floor building within Canterbury’s Tannery development.
Despite passing building regulations when built just 10 years ago, onlookers have described flames ripping through the block at frightening speed on Saturday.
About 45 properties were affected, with 16 houses and flats reduced to rubble and scheduled for total demolition.
Bellway Homes, which built the properties, has launched an investigation following concerns at how quickly the blaze spread through the timber-framed block.
Meanwhile, firefighters have identified a boiler in an airing cupboard as the most likely point of outbreak.
Town and Country Housing, which owns the properties, is rehousing the victims.
Spokesman Rachael Branson said: “It looks as if those properties that were fire-damaged will have to come down.
“Numbers one to five City Wall Avenue, all houses, are being demolished. Another 11 flats on Creine Mill Lane are due for demolition.
“Obviously those families and householders will need to be found new homes.
“Another 30 or so properties are safe but have been affected either by smoke or water from the rescue efforts.
“Some residents living nearby, whose homes are habitable, have told us that because of the trauma, the emotional effect of what’s happened, they would rather not return to their homes.”
News of the fire prompted an unprecedented outpouring of generosity from the community, with offers of cash, gifts and temporary accommodation for those affected.
Ten pumps from Kent Fire and Rescue Service tackled the inferno, which started about 2pm and spread through upper floors.
Shortly afterwards, Paul Flaherty, assistant director at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Crews have worked very hard to get this fire under control in very challenging conditions – dealing with a fourstorey building that was well alight.
“The building is a timberframed construction and so the fire was able to spread very quickly among the frame voids.
“This meant it was a difficult fire to fight in the early stages. The fire broke through the roof and we used two height vehicles to get water directly at fourth-floor level.”
Developers who built the block have been swift to reassure residents that it met all safety requirements and building regulations.
Bellway Homes began redeveloping the former St Mildred’s Tannery site in 2005 to create a 416-scheme comprising apartments and townhouses.
Spokesman Maria Seed said: “All at Bellway are deeply saddened to learn of the fire and the damage to property that has occurred.
“We are thankful that there are no serious injuries resulting from the fire and our thoughts are with those residents who may have lost their homes and possessions.”
Ms Seed said Bellway had launched a full investigation into the fire.
She added: “Bellway will work with Kent Fire Brigade and all other interested parties and assist where necessary with any investigations into the cause or causes and subsequent spread of the fire.”