Exclusive:Sheffield dad's anxious wait to find out if house needs to be demolished after blaze
“I don’t want to go through £14,000 of repairs just to have someone say ‘we need to rip your house down’.”
A victim of a devastating house fire in Sheffield is anxiously waiting to find out if his his home will be demolished.
Father-of-three Rob Marsden was among dozens of neighbours evacuated from their homes at 4am on July 23 when a garden fire tore through a row of terraced homes on Fox Hill Road, Fox Hill.
Two properties were gutted and another three were badly damaged by heat, smoke and water.
It is believed some mid-terrace properties will need to be demolished, such is the extent of the damage.
But an official decision has not yet been made by those who oversee such situations.
Rob, a 59-year-old builder, who extended his own end-of-terrace home in 2003, lost his roof in the blaze only to discover his insurance was cancelled in January without his knowledge after he was targeted by a financial scam.
Now, Rob - who lives next door to the property where the fire broke out - is waiting to find out if he should shell out over £14,000 of his own money for house repairs for a home that could eventually be torn down.
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“I’ve lost everything from my children’s upbringing, every memory,” said Rob.
“Photographs, sentimental items, all ruined by water damage running down staining everything black.
“I know how to repair my home. I don’t want to go through all that just to have someone say ‘we need to rip your house down’.”
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Rob is still living in the property with no roof or electricity to guard the row of homes - after thieves reportedly arrived at night on July 25 to burgle the properties.
“I went to my sister’s when a neighbour called me and said ‘I can see someone with torches going through the houses,’” said Rob. “I ran straight over.
“There’s been a real camaraderie with everyone looking out for each other. All the neighbours have been vigilant.
“These great guys from Leeds [Sam Galeforce Ltd] gave me free scaffolding, and another company [HD Ground & Garden Maintenance] put up new fences for free to secure the properties.
“I can’t thank people enough.”
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Meanwhile, over £1,100 has been donated to a GoFundMe campaign to help Rob with his bills, including he £1,700 minimum needed for Northern Powergrid to replace a vital cable connecting him to mains electricity.
Rob, who lives with his 10-year-old daughter and 37-year-old son, is frustrated that “no one” has got in touch since the fire to explain what happens next.
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“I count myself lucky - I’ve only lost my roof and I’ve been told the building isn’t structurally dangerous, but nobody’s been out to tell me what’s happening,” said Rob.
“I haven’t done anything wrong, the fire wasn’t my fault, but by god I’m getting penalised.
“If they have to knock the other houses down, can they do it just by accessing my garden?
“Getting anybody from the council or other bodies has been impossible - emails get no replies.
“I’m fed up of having no information. If they’re waiting for a fire report, how long is it going to take?”
Sheffield City Council and Northern Powergrid were contacted for a comment.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The council understands that this is an incredibly difficult and challenging situation for the resident and his family.
“Unfortunately the Council cannot comment on the condition of the property or the insurance issues, as these are both the responsibility of the building’s private owner.”
The council added it would contact Rob about temporary accommodation.
A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson and released on bail. No one has been charged.