A COLEFORD family fears a hefty repair bill after a fire which melted doors and window frames at their home.

An explosion in a garden shed just metres from the house in High Nash melted windows, doors, gutters, pipes and soffits, cracked glass and caused smoke damage to the house and the property next door.

Mrs Karen Matthews claims her landlord, Two Rivers Housing, has been slow in making repairs – a claim strongly denied.

The fire brigade is still investigating the cause of the explosion on March 23 but it is thought a petrol-driven lawnmower might have caused it.

Mrs Matthews says her three-year-old daughter, Maddy, is still frightened by the sight of the damaged windows.

She said: "We've got no idea how it happened, my husband put the shed up five years ago."

Two Rivers came out and put some plastic over the window to make it safe but they've not done anything since.

"It's making the house very difficult to heat - we're going through gas like there's no tomorrow.

"We need to get these repairs done but it's been a month and nothing has happened.

"We've been told not to go into the garden because of the glass and nails.

"People have been really kind. My daughter's trampoline was destroyed and we've been given another but she can't get into the garden to play on it.

"I've been told we could be liable for the cost of repairs but we just haven't got that sort of money."

Two Rivers director of development Matt Hunt was on duty when the fire was reported and took the call.

He said: "We have taken this matter very seriously from day one.  As soon as I was alerted to the fire I rang to ensure everyone was OK and to see what we could do to sort out the mess left by the explosion in the shed.

"I spoke with Mrs Matthews and the fire team and immediately dispatched an electrician and a carpenter to ensure everything was checked, safe, secure and weather proofed.

"Our Head of Contract Services went out the Monday to assess the damage and to sort out the insurance claim.

"He has kept in touch with Mrs Matthews and has regularly updated her on progress. The most recent conversation was only a few days ago.

"This (the fire) affected not just Mrs Matthews's house but the house next door too. Luckily this was empty at the time, but it made things difficult for us as other tenants were due to move in.

"We are awaiting the insurers decision before we embark upon the costly repairs on Mrs Matthews home.

"Luckily she had invested in contents insurance, which she took out on our advice.

"It's lucky no-one was hurt and this is a salutary warning about the importance of taking very seriously  the risk of fire in the home and the garden.

"If you are putting a up a shed – don't put it too close to your house. If you are in any doubt, take advice.

    

"We will continue to push for an answer from the fire investigators and are as keen as Mrs Matthews to get the matter resolved as soon as possible.

 

"The whole episode could be extremely expensive for Two Rivers. The not-for-profit organisation ploughs all its resources into providing low cost quality homes for local people."