Amersham: Couple waits in temporary accommodation after fire

Terence Baker, 63, from Amersham, his wife and two cats had to leave their cosy bungalow in Amersham for a temporary studio flat in Chesham after a “terrifying” fire.

Their nightmare began after his mobility scooter and carport caught on fire on June 29.

Although Terence and his wife were unhurt but shaken up, one of his cats needed emergency oxygen from the firefighters, he said.

The smoke damage left bungalow uninhabitable and forced the couple first into a hotel for one night and then into a tiny apartment in Chesham.

Terence, who suffers from depression and has type 2 diabetes, said: “I miss our bungalow terribly. It had a nice little garden and Henry the cat would go out all the time.”

Terence said he misses his cosy bungalow with a garden (Image: Google Street View)

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Terence claimed Paradigm Housing told him at first the fire was his fault, but it was later found to have been caused by the electrical socket. Paradigm Housing denied this and said the cause of the fire has not been determined yet. 

Terence said: “The bungalow was smoked. I tried to claim compensation, but they said I can’t get compensation because I’m not living at the property. How could I live at the property because it’s smoked?

“All our belongings are in the house. I’ve got six t-shirts and a couple of pair of shorts and it’s all of us in just one room. I’ve got cat litter in the room, that’s unhygienic.”

They now rely on the communal kitchen and a mini bar fridge, making cooking and storing food difficult and expensive for the couple who both receive benefits, Terence explained.

To seek compensation, Terence was asked for pictures of the bungalow, but if he went in, he would be trespassing, he claimed.

He said he felt Paradigm Housing was “trying to fob us off” as he hadn’t received any news about where they would move to and when.

“It’s very hard at the moment,” he added.

A Paradigm Housing spokesperson said: “In late June, a fire started in his home at Birch Close. The independent loss adjustor has not yet established the cause of the fire.

“Immediately following the incident, Paradigm offered Mr Baker and his wife temporary accommodation in a hotel, and to temporarily place his cats in a cattery. This offer was refused and Mr Baker’s current temporary accommodation was the only available home that met his requirements at that time. We are supporting Mr Baker to try and find suitable accommodation.

 “Mr Baker has returned to Birch Close to collect his belongings and was advised he would not be able to return again until the loss adjuster confirmed it is safe to do so. We are trying to arrange with the loss adjustors, if it is possible to arrange a second visit. We are also offering support to Mr Baker for additional clothing or food or any other support needs he has.

 “The loss adjustors have taken longer than expected to complete their investigation. They have advised it will be completed, including the necessary repair works in roughly four weeks.

 “Mr Baker will be entitled to rent compensation once the claim has been processed by the loss adjustor.”