Property Devastation in Leigh

January 12, 2015 by Rob Kahl

How devastating for the poor family at the house that burnt down on the junction of Kings Road and Chalkwell Avenue last week.

Last Saturday morning the property caught light and was completely destroyed by a huge fire. 5 fire engines took most of the day to extinguish the fire which came after a burglary and seems to have started in the roof. Thankfully nobody was injured or hurt as apparently the family were on holiday at the time, but try to imagine having to come back from a family holiday to that!

In our lettings division we deal with a lot of insurance companies looking for properties to rent for people after their homes have been damaged by fires or floods and the upheaval and stress to these poor families can not be underestimated.

The family in Westcliff have obviously lost everything apart from whatever they took on holiday with them and at times like that, it really puts into perspective what is important in life.

It got us talking in the office, hypothetically, if we were in that unfortunate scenario what would we try to save from our own homes if they were on fire or had flood water pouring in. No one was interested in saving their 60 inch plasma T.V or the new Xbox they got for Christmas, it was all about saving things like old photos, or pictures the children had made years before. Nothing of any monetary value even came up, it was all the priceless items that I am sure every family has.

Things like T.V’s and furniture can be replaced, after all that is what insurance is for but sentimental items that have been collected by families for generations are impossible to replace or put a price on.

After a home is damaged in such a way do you ever really feel the same about it again? I would imagine that if your home was unlucky enough to flood, that even after everything had been replaced, the repairs had been carried out and the property re-decorated, would you be forever looking over your shoulder? Worried every time that it rains, glued to the weather forecast to see if a downpour is due and prepared to baton down the hatches with sandbags forever at the ready?

Thankfully, I have never personally been in that position, so I can only imagine that it would always be a worry. Likewise with the family in Westcliff. I would presume that it will be months before the damage has been repaired and they are in a position to move back in to the property, but, will they still think of it as their cosy old family home or will it always be the property that was nearly destroyed and never have the same feeling about it again?

I really do hope that the family will be fine and I can say from experience that when we try to find rental properties for people in that situation, we are extremely sensitive and understanding so our thoughts are with them.

Ths article is by Rob at Scott & Stapleton Estate Agents
Tel: 01702 47 11 55