Saturday 17 August 2013

After one very dreadful night ... fire damage

Good Morning Everyone,

Someone set fire to one of our wheelie bins last night and this is our garden this morning.







This it the view at the top of our garden now. The fence has gone, the wheelie bins and the compost bin have melted away to nothing, the trees are charred, with frazzled leaves, the window on the shed melted and had to be removed by the fire service, however the shed somehow survived, the gates are charred too. It's devastation, I'm devastated. Firemen think it was probably some teenagers, seen hanging around, who either flicked a lit cigarette end into the area, perhaps into one of the bins, or it was malicious damage. Whatever, the result is the same - I can't stop shaking. And I'm left wondering if the person who caused all this will even be aware of the damage caused to our garden and to me ... I fell down several stairs and injured myself in my hurry to get to the phone.

On a more positive note, several of my neighbours were absolutely wonderful, so kind and helpful, and the fire service were so quick to respond that further damage was prevented ... there's an awful lot of decking and fencing in our garden! One of the firemen, Del, was kind enough to make me a cup of tea and checked out my injuries ... in fact they were all wonderful. Thank you to everyone who came to my aid.

Alan is in Manchester, so my daughter and her husband are coming over though truly there is not much they can do ... it's pouring with rain right now.

I'm away now to try to rest but I'll be back :)

Happy Saturday everyone,

35 comments:

Di said...

Oh Elizabeth, I cried when I saw and read this blog post. What a dreadful thing to do and such a shock for you honey. How thoughtless or evil some people are - but luckily how very kind others are. Keep those photos for insurance purposes - they tell the tale.

Sending you big hugs my friend.

Di xxx

Elizabeth said...

Thank you Di. I still can't quite believe what's happened. However, my faith is restored by the kindness of strangers - I didn't know any of the neighbours who came to help and yet they were wonderful. And I will be keeping these photos as suggested. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

Marie-Louise said...

Oh Elizabeth how awful and so frightening for you. I do wish there was something I could do to help. Take care of yourself my friend.

roffeycreations said...

So sorry that this has happened to you Elizabeth - I hope the insurance restores everything to what it was or better - hugs too... Mxx

Anne said...

Dear Elizabeth I am so upset for you. How can people either through not thinking or through being malicious do such things. As you say they will have no idea of the hurt to you. Thank goodness though for those who do care. I am glad that you experienced the kindness of others at this awful time. Thank goodness that you were not injured more than you have been as a result of falling. Take care dear friend I will be thinking of you. hugs Anne x

Annie said...

Oh Elizabeth this is awful news. Like Di I am moved to tears for you. What a scary experience and what a pointless thing for anyone to do.
I hope you aren't too bruised by your fall and can recover well from your experience.
Sending you lots of healing hugs.
Annie x

Craftychris said...

oh bless you, I am so sorry! What a nasty thing to happen. Your post emphases how some people are so awful and some people are so wonderful! You take good care of yourself, rest lots and try not to let it get you down! Sending huge blog hugs to you! xx

CraftygasheadZo said...

Aw lovely sorry to read this. Am glad the fire service were quick and that you have family around you. Not a nice experience. Take care Zo xx

Cathy said...

So sorry to hear about this Elizabeth, it must have been a terrible shock. I'm glad you have some kind neighbours near by, and hope that you are recovered soon from your fall, Hugs Cathy x

Unknown said...

Oh thats awful. so glad you are ok but what a terrible shock. Glad your neighbours have rallied round. Big hugs Janet

Tracy @ Cardmaker's Delights said...

I'm so very sorry to hear your sad news Elizabeth, I wish you all the best xxx

Krisha said...

Oh Elizabeth, such horrible news. How scary this must have been. Thank goodness for the wonderful people who were there to help you.
Keeping you in my prayers.

Rita said...

Oh my goodness, you poor dear. It's disgusting that people cannot leave things alone without destroying people gardens and premises. I'm so thankful the fire service and your neighbours have been so kind to you. It must have been a nightmare Elizabeth. I hope your injuries are not too serious, but I bet you are still pretty shakem. Sending my Love and Comforting Hugs. Rita xxxxx

annesyme said...

How awful and how frightening for you Elizabeth. I hope your injuries are minor and you are recovering from the shock. We had a spate of intentional bin burnings where I live but thankfully they were bins that had been left out in the street. They were taken to the nearby woods or underpasses. We've not had any for a couple of years. I do hope it's a one off in your area. Take care
Anne x

Anonymous said...

Oh Elizabeth what a night I hope you are ok after your fall take care caroline x

Cass said...

That is terrible, I'm glad you're okay, and thank goodness you discovered it.

take care

Cassidy

May said...

Dear Elizabeth, What dreadful news you must have been terrified..O my goodness I hope you recover from that fall....People just don't realize the impact of their acts have on people lives...Bless you Elizabeth please take care.... Hugs May x x x

Sandra H said...

Hi Elizabeth, This is terrible you must of been absolutely terrified some people haven't any thoughts to others and the damage its caused is enough in its self to make you wonder why people do this l only hope your not in too much pain having rushed and fallen and l hope these responsible have a conscious but having said that l don't suppose they do l'm sending lots of love and hopfully will ease your pain and nice that your neighbours where around when it happened take care xx

scrappymo! said...

What an awful night you must have had. I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been. I hope you recover quyickly from your injuries and bounce back right as rain.

What terrible devastation...I remember all your beautiful garden pictures...how I have enjoyed your flower posts. I pray that you will be Ok and that your garden will recover...sadly those trees are so large and look quite damaged...I hoep they survive!
Take care and God Bless you both!
Maureen aka Scrappymo

coops said...

oh elizabeth that is awful and so much damage caused.thank goodness it was at the end of the garden and not closer to your houses.so sorry to hear you hurt yourself, i hope you are feeling better soon and that everything can be replaced quickly for you.

xx coops xx

BJ said...

Oh my goodness Elizabeth, so sorry to hear this but glad you are seriously hurt. My parents lost their whole house to a fire so I know what devastation it can cause. Hugs Sweetie BJ

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Dear Elizabeth sending gentle bog hugs and heartfelt prayers for comfort, full recovery for you from fall and turmoil of it all... and also that there will be dealings with whoever was responsible - we dont know who they are but there is One Who does and and so we can pray that they will be dealt with ultimately - also praying for speedy repairs etc, God bless you dear friend, Shaz.xx

Jackie said...

OMG Elizabeth, thank goodness that you are safe if not completely alright...hugs
Jackie xx

Julia Dunnit said...

oh no. What a dreadful experience. Your daughter and husband aren't coming to 'do', you just need company..you can rest properly if someone else is about, huh. am so sorry that you're hurt...don't worry abput the damage, nature is an enormous force and she will restore.
Also be assured that whether it was careless or malicious, it won't be repeated...it doesn't work that way in the heads of the mindless..they don't have the wit to return. Hugs and hugs.

Jenny Marples said...

Gosh Elizabeth. Just catching up and saw what had happened! My heart goes out to you. It must have been such a shock. I hope your fall didn't cause too much damage to you too. Thinking of you. Hugs, Jenny x

Twiglet said...

Oh that's awful Elizabeth - my heart goes out to you. How frightening for you. Thank goodness you got help quickly. I hope you recover quickly from your fall. Big hugs. x Jo

fairy thoughts said...

Oh Elizabeth my heart goes out to you , you poor garden but it will survive. Fences can be mended plants replaced, I am so glad you are ok well physically anyway and you had so many lovely people to help you, it was probably one thoughtless persons silly mistake.
Take care my friend don't dwell on what you could have lost , only on all the things you have left ... Friends
Janet

Anonymous said...

I just heard about this over on UKPC, so sorry to hear your news Elizabeth. I'm glad it was caught before even more damage was caused. I hope you feel calmer soon and that your own injury is on the mend. Sending you lots of hugs and love, Karen xxx

akilli melek said...

I'm glad that some good came out of this truly awful situation. I have been amazed by the kindness of strangers, it does restore your faith in human nature.
Hope things get sorted quickly and without too much fuss with the insurance.
please take care of yourself as well, we don't bounce like we used to now, just bruise and that is not much fun at all.
hugs
caroline xx

Bonnie said...

How awful, Elizabeth! I'm so sorry for the damage and thankful that you weren't more seriously hurt! I'm thankful for the good people out there.

Mary H. said...

Oh my goodness Elizabeth. I popped over to visit & saw in your more recent post about the fire aftermath, so read down a post. I am so sorry that this happened to you, and I can well understand how shaken & devastated you are. It would be bad enough to feel it was 'accidental damage', but if you suspect malicious damage, that is so much more hurtful I believe. One wonders what has happened to our young folks today (read about the shootings in Okla if you want to understand my dismay!). I hope things can get repaired to where you all need it to be. And that you can recover from the pain of it all & your fall. Thank you so much, for taking time, in the midst of this situation, to visit & leave a sweet comment. Wish there would be something I could say, but thoughts & prayers go your way. Hugs my friend.

Neet said...

Oh Elizabeth, I did not know of this. I have been so busy with preparation for the last weekend that I have not been looking at blogging etc. I am so sorry. Just seen it on WOYWW.
I know exactly what you are going through. We had a stolen car driven up our drive (long long drive) and dumped in front of our garage. They removed its wheels and set it on fire. It melted all the guttering, burnt the privets (they took a couple of years to revive), melted the tarmac and we were trapped inside the bungalow. The car was exploding all the time so until the firemen came and put it out we could not get out of our house.
I was scared for a long time afterwards.
My heart goes out to you - and you were on your own. How terrible for you, at least I had Chas with me.
Take care - and rest.
Love
Neet xx

Sarn said...

Hi Elizabeth . . . I've only just seen this post. I am so sorry you have had to suffer at the hands of some mindless idiot.

I really hope you feel better soon. I see from your latest post that you've been card making again, so that's a good and positive sign.

Sending positive thoughts and lots of virtual hugs to you xxx

Hettie said...

OMG! Saw your post and you mentioned mixed fortunes this week so I have popped back. What a travesty for you and so sorry to learn of the damage. I hope you are feeling ok now.
Hugs
xx

My name is Cindy said...

Oh Elizabeth how awful! I was intrigued by your comment in your latest post so had to scrawl back before I saw what you meant. How reckless these people are, one hopes it was an accident and not meant maliciously!! I hope your lovely late bloomers are helping you to forget. Hugs, hope you've recovered from your fall but glad you were safe, Cindy