The next few hours are a bit of a blur. I speak to the firemen who dont seem to want to speculate on exactly what caused the fire. I speak to my housemates, both of whom were out when it started. I call my insurance company ‘Swanky Insurance’ to report the fire and the damage and ask what should i do?! I get through quickly and they look up my underwriters ‘Doorway’ and give me their number and tell me i have to call them to put the claim in. I speak to them and they say i must get an electrical report and a gas report before the electrics can be switched back on it the house. I need the gas report because my combi boiler is housed in the wardrobe in the room where the fire started. There is a debate going on as to the possibility of the boiler starting the fire. I panic as i try and remember when i had the boiler serviced last. Im pretty sure it was less than a year ago but cant be sure in my stressed out state. Doorway organise their door company ‘SunGlaze’ to come and secure my broken front door. My wonderful boyfriend, Nick, organises an emergency electrician and gas heating engineer. The fire appliances leave after handing me some leaflets on what do to after a fire. I cant even make myself a hot, sweet, coffee to calm my nerves. So i have to make do with some cold squash. Gradually people lose interest in the commotion and return to their houses. I find and thank the engineer who spotted the smoke and called the fire brigage. I know i will always be grateful to him and dread to think what might have happened had he not been there…… We never see my neighbour who works in the other half of my semi detatched building!
Before they leave, the fire brigage tell me that no one should stay in the house and we should all find alternative accomodation until the insurance company tell us its safe to return. Its a shock but I organise the boys to make sure they have somewhere else they can stay for a few days, just until we know what is happening. They make a few phone calls and gather a few essential bits before going back to work.
Quite quickly, the electrician turns up. He tests the electrics, changes the ceiling rose in Daves bedroom and tests all the electrical points in his room. He is there for some time. Eventually he tells me everything is fine with the electrics and the fire could not have been started due to an electrical problem. He says we are allowed to switch the electrics back on. Im gasping for a coffee and sugar rush. My wonderful Nick pays the electrician and goes to the shop, returning with some much needed, lifesaving chocolate.
After some hours, SunGlaze turn up and tell me that the door will have to be screwed shut as they cant replace the busted lock. They spend some time doing all sorts to the door, eventually turning the inside bit around so that the door knocker is now inside the house and the door is screwed into the frame. It looks odd and i feel numb watching them. The house is still full of the stench of smoke and fire. Even my skin reaks of smoke.
My parents tell me and Nick to take the dogs out for a walk and have a little break while they wait for the gas engineer. Its so good to get away from the house and the smokey smell. The dogs appreciate the chance to let off some anxious, stressed energy and we walk across the fields watching a glorious sunset. It feels so surreal, natural and beautiful compared to the alien bonfire that is my home.
Eventually we go back to the house, stopping to pick up a dinner of fish and chips on the way. The gas enginneer hasnt been yet so we eat dinner in silence in the garden as evening falls and we wait. Evenutally he arrives and checked out the gas and the boiler. Its good news and bad news. The good news is that the boiler did not start the fire. The bad news is its been damaged by the fire and im going to need a new one. I let Nick sort out the bill, im too tired and exhausted to deal with any more today. Once the gas engineer goes, i gather up the dogs, a few clothes and insurance paperwork and follow Nick back to his house. He runs me a bath and finally i can rid of the stink of smoke. He even washes the dogs down so they dont smell of smoke any more either. I collaspe into bed, very grateful that everyone is ok and for all the support i have been given from friends and family.
*Please note that the names of all people and companies involved have been changed to protect identities
