3 FAMILIES HOMELESS IN FARNDON
Francesca, who lived in the middle cottage with her mum and their dog escaped the fire which started at 8pm on Thursday evening."We don't know where to stay or, what to do, everything has gone in the fire." she said on Friday morning, still reeling from this life changing event. The word in the village puts the cause down to a local youth, playing with fireworks in the Medical Centre carpark.
The story goes, the firework was alight in his hand and he threw it away into the road, where it exploded igniting the thatch roof of the cottages. Some credit should be given to the youth who admitted his rash action.
Is thatch safe today?
The cottages dated back 4 centuries of uninterrupted occupation. Housing 3 families in quaint 17th century style. Each cottage was charmingly different inside and well appointed with modern conveniences. As a listed building, will the powers that be, insist on replacing the thatch roof? Is there a synthetic lookalike material resistant to sparks and fireworks that could be used instead or, will they for 'Health & Safety' reasons allow the roof to be slated?