Family devastated as fire destroys home

An appeal has been set up for a semi-retired couple whose Weston Hills home has been destroyed in a fire.

Fire crews were called to the home at around 7.30am on Broadgate on Friday, March 26.

The couple, who do not wish to be named, had lived in the house for over 30 years.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown but is believed to have started in the garage where the disabled husband of the couple has rebuilt custom bikes for the last three decades.

It spread to the home itself where the couple’s two-year-old grandchild Alba’s playroom was one of the rooms that was completely destroyed.

The couple’s daughter Emma-Louise Kinnaird-Barrass has set up a Just Giving page after hearing her parents have been told their insurance won’t cover much of the damage.

“My parents are devastated,” she said. “The garage has completely gone and the smoke damage in the house is so severe that the house is unliveable.

“The cleaning team sent by the insurance company said it’s unlikely they can salvage much.

“My step dad used to build custom motorbikes as a hobby and he’s lost tools that have taken him a lifetime to collect. We know the insurance contents cover won’t replace all their possessions.

“My step dad is disabled. He has fibromyalgia and is currently on the waiting list for a heart operation.”

“We’re beyond grateful that they’re both safe. My daughter adores her granny and grandad beyond words and it’s difficult to explain to a two-year-old why she can’t play at their house anymore. We’ve taken her to see the house and explained that their house is broken and they’ll need to build a new one.

“She keeps saying that she’ll help fix it.”

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue says seven crews from across South Lincolnshire attended the fire which was put out using four breathing apparatus, four hose reel jets, one main jet and eight thermal imaging cameras.

Emma-Louise says the couple have already had fantastic support from their loved ones.

“Our friends and family have been wonderful,” she said. “The generosity of others has helped ease an impossible situation.

“We hope we can get a permanent roof over their heads by Christmas, but we’ll have to see.”

You can donate to Emma-Louise’s appeal here.