Couple lose dream home in huge fire
A COUPLE who are expecting their first child after leaving Manchester to build their dream home in the sun have had their lives shattered after it was destroyed in a wildfire.
Rowan May, 37, and Kat Mehenrt, 33, began dreaming of creating an eco home abroad eight years ago.
Neither knew anything about construction but they began pouring over building books and looking at other houses for inspiration.
To raise money for the project they both worked shifts at a grocery store in Chorlton after their day jobs, Rowan was a freelance cameraman, and Kat was a live-in carer.
They moved to Portugal four-and-ahalf years ago in an old Transit van carrying materials they had collected from skips around Manchester.
They were just making the finishing touches to the house, using local materials such as pinewood and cordwood, when a wildfire tore though the neighbourhood Vale do Freixo in Castelo Branco last month.
Rowan said: “I was working at my desk and there wasn’t much definition in the smoke, it was in the back of the mountains, so I went back to my desk. Five minutes later the flames were coming over the back of the mountain.”
The couple, whose baby son is due on December 5, are now housesitting at a friend’s.
They plan to continue living in renting accommodation with their baby until spring when they will begin thinking about how to rebuild the house in a fire-resistant way.
Although the fire has destroyed their beautiful, shell-shaped home, Rowan remains positive.
He said: “The truth in these moments is you’ve got to be genuine. You’ve got to shout and scream and throw things about then you carry on.
“She’s okay, the little one’s okay, and I’m okay. I can’t ask for more than that. That’s what’s important in life.”
A crowdfunding page set up by Rowan’s brother, Alan, has raised nearly £6,500 already and the couple say people living near them have been incredibly generous.
Rowan added: “The help has been absolutely epic, we’ve got enough baby clothes for 20 babies. Portuguese, English, everyone – people are being incredible.”