Hot ashes in rubbish end in house fire

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 5

Hot ashes in rubbish end in house fire

NEIL CLARKSON

Emptying an ashtray is all it took to cost the Dillon family, of Brooklands, their home. The blaze which razed their home yesterday morning appears to have started in the kitchen rubbish tin where an ashtray had been emptied. “The only thing I managed to salvage out of the house was a metal box in which I kept all our valuable papers,” said Mr Gary Dillon. Mr Dillon, an insurance agent for National Mutual, said he could not believe the extent of the damage. The fire in the 25-year-old house broke out about 9.20 a.m. and was noticed by the Dillon family’s

neighbours, Mr and Mrs William Armstrong. Mrs Paulina Dillon had just left for work, leaving the house vacant.

Mr Armstrong, who at first thought it was a rubbish fire, checked to discover smoke pouring from a side door.

The fire brigade was called, and Mr Armstrong saved the family’s budgerigar and moved their two dogs away from the house.

Mr Dillon said he learned of the fire in a telephone call from his sister-in-law about 10.30 a.m.

Mr Dillon and his wife returned to Brooklands and at the suggestion of a fireman, went to the

Armstrong’s house for a cup of coffee and cigarette before looking over the damage. “I never thought it would have been that bad,” he said. Mr Dillon said the house was insured for replacement value, but he feared they may be slightly under-insured for contents. The Dillons have two children, Nadia, aged four, and Kelly, aged two. “They have lost their toys. Everything. We won’t be taking them out there.”

Nadia has been told of the fire.

“I’ve only got the clothes I’m wearing. My wi£? managed to save &

some of her clothes from the washing this morning." Mr Dillon said they had visited relatives who had offered clothes.

He said they, would-re-build on the Lower Styx Road section. Nadia was asthmatic, which was why they lived at Brooklands, he said. The family checked into the Shirley Lodge Motor Hotel yesterday, but were keen to find a furnished house at a reasonable rent. Mr Dillon said he would be grateful for any offers. He said the fire had brought home to him the importance of insurance. "It could have happened to anyone.”