WOMAN DEVASTATED AFTER GARAGE FIRE
Homeowner was storing furniture in outbuilding during renovations after moving in a few months ago
A WOMAN has lost £35,000 of furniture and goods after a devastating fire in her garage.
Tina Newman, 62, had put all her belongings in the garage to renovate her house when neighbours reported flames coming from the building in the early hours of December 12.
Ms Newman, who moved to Tylerstown, Rhondda, from Plymouth six months ago, believes the garage was subject to an arson attack after a padlock on the door was cut open.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Tina, who has recently finished treatment for breast cancer, said: “I had plasterers in and they put up thermal walls and plastered all over the house and exterior, so I had to get everything out of the way.
“I put it all in the garage. About one in the morning someone cut the padlock off. I was staying at my friend’s house and came back in the morning and one of the neighbours said have you seen the garage and said ‘it went up in flames last night’.
“A neighbour saw flames shooting up.
“Everything is burnt to a cinder. There were TVs, two classic motorbikes, everything for the house – brand new tiles, a new kitchen, fridge freezer, double oven.”
Ms Newman, who worked as a nurse for 33 years, believes she has lost around £35,000 in belongings as a result of the fire.
She said: “I’ve been in shock, I’ve been walking around in a daze and shaking.
“I couldn’t believe someone would do that.
“Everything I had bought for my house is now charcoal.
“This is all too much for me. I only moved in in September, totally renovated.”
A fundraising page has now been set up by Ms Newman’s friends to help with the cost of the damage.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a garage fire which occurred in Edmund Street, Tylorstown, in the early hours of December 12.
“The fire caused significant damage to a substantial amount of property being stored inside.
“Anybody who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at approximately 1am on Thursday, December 12, or who has information, is urged to contact 101 quoting reference *455230.
“Alternatively
Crimestoppers
0800 555 111.” it’s being they can anonymously call on