Our home wrecked by one firework on Saturday.

[macabethiel]

On Saturday night whilst the wife was watching Strictly come Dancing on TV and I was calming our eldest Chihuahua Ben (He's 15) in our Conservatory - he hates fireworks our house was struck on the roof by some sort of Rocket Aerial Bomb.

The firework smashed through the roof and set fire to the eaves storage area, the house has sustained substantial damage and we have been advised that it will be Easter before we are likely to be able to move back in.

We spent the first night at a neighbours and are currently staying in a Pet Friendly Hotel with two of our three Chihuahuas one who is pregnant for the first time. We have temporarily housed Ben with a friend due to his age.

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/derby-house-destroyed-after-giant-731508

Today we start to try and find a house to rent whilst our home is repaired. Luckily we are covered with our house insurance and have appointed an Independent Insurance Assessor to manage our situation.

 

[jims-terrano]

Bloody hell Ted, I’m sorry for swearing but I’m gutted for you mate. I’m sure it goes without saying but if you need a hand with anything I’m sure people on here will be there for you. Glad you are all OK and got out unscathed which is an important thing. I’ve said for a while but I’ll say it again. Ban fireworks from public sale and force people to have a license for an organised display.

 

[don simon]

Blimey! Good luck in getting everything sorted.

 

[Banshee]

Good look with everything mate, what a nightmare

 

[panelbeater]

bloody shame that is,good you all safe though

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Bloody hell Ted, I’m sorry for swearing but I’m gutted for you mate. I’m sure it goes without saying but if you need a hand with anything I’m sure people on here will be there for you. Glad you are all OK and got out unscathed which is an important thing. I’ve said for a while but I’ll say it again. Ban fireworks from public sale and force people to have a license for an organised display.

What he says ^^^

Totally gutted for you... I often wonder why, with so many people against the sale of fireworks to the general public, that something has not been done about it.

We were marshalling at the Danson Park firework display again this year, trying and failing to keep the public out of the firing area (they were using a cars head lights to dazzle us, and then climbing over 10 foot high fencing behind the car).

When you see the size of some of those fireworks, and then see how many are packed into a create, then see the remains of the creates at the end, it's scary enough, but when you realise they were all transported there in the back of a few 7.5tonne hire vans, 1/2 way round the M25, it's even more scary.

Last night we had some going off round here, and I swear they sounded and looked like the sort that were at Danson, which surely shouldn't be for sale to the General public. Police were too busy to do anything about it, as the people firing them, moved before doing the next.

Best wishes, and lots of hugs to the dogs, and wife. hope it all get sorted with out any extra hassle

 

[perelaar]

Very sorry to hear that! My grandmother's house was destroyed in a fire a few years ago, I've seen the damage it can do to property and to peace of mind!

Any ideas on who was using the fireworks?

 

[solarman216]

As Clive says, these sort of explosives should not be available to the general public to set off in their back gardens and cause the sort of damage you have experienced, gutted for you and your pets, but glad you are OK, could have been worse I guess, hope you find a good place for Xmas, Rick

 

[Mr K]

That's sole destroying so feeling for you with this.

I'm right behind the banning of fireworks to the general public

 

[Jay666d]

WOW, just read the article and saw the pictures!

Truly gutted for you guys!

It's already been said, but I'm sure everyone will agree, If there's anything we can do to help, just ask. :thumbs

All the best! Jay

 

[bbbmmm55]

Thats crazy. Sorry to hear about your house cant imagine what its like but atleast you the family and animals made it out in one piece. Fingers crossed they money people get everything sorted for you swiftly.

 

[Barrbeast]

Sorry to hear that but glad you're all safe

 

[RJL Services]

Sorry to hear that but glad you're all safe we have had people letting them off here since the 31st October only organised displays should be allowed and only on the 5th November, not the week before and a week afterwards i did keep looking out as the street was lit up thinking they were hitting the cars in the street but all good but the noise was bad and really loud dogs scared to death

 

[micken]

What the ....? Sorry to hear this but glad you are all OK. Hope it all works out well in the long run. :thumb2

 

[johnb5177]

Ted, lost for words, so very very terrible. However, you your lady and much love dogs are safe. The loss of personal momentoes and pictures is so sad, I can understand that having lost my Mum last year.

I also agree with all the comments on the banning of fireworks to the public and the organising of structured displays......there are quite a number of ex forces guys on this forum, who are well versed in the use of ordnance, some of todays readily available fireworks, puts the shivers up my spine........:nenau

The very best of good luck, to you all, and I hope that you can get the help you need.

The guys and gals here will do anything we can to help, I am too far away, but the spirit is willing.

 

[zippy656]

Well. Not what I was expecting, good news your all ok.

 

[makeitfit]

Damn that's bad luck . I am really sorry you've been displaced and sympathise with your situation.

However I will buck the trend expressed here and say that fireworks should not be banned. Banning stuff is always the answer it seems these days. Ban stuff cause it's easy.
A modern society should have tolerance for others faiths, lifestyles and hobbies.
I'm in favour of organised events yes but not at the expense of a bit of back garden fun.
It's like some bobble hats want offroaders banned. Brexiteers want burkas banned and my wife wants all engine parts banned from the lounge

Last year 54 people died hill walking ??? Ban that too.....

The law says fireworks are only legal on guy fawkes night and NYE.

Anyway enough if my rant. Goid luck getting the house back in order soon. Horah for insurance

 

[Blocky10]

Shocking news. Glad you're safe and hope it's sorted soon

 

[macabethiel]

The trouble with a ban is that enforcement would be impossible

Damn that's bad luck . I am really sorry you've been displaced and sympathise with your situation.

However I will buck the trend expressed here and say that fireworks should not be banned. Banning stuff is always the answer it seems these days. Ban stuff cause it's easy.
A modern society should have tolerance for others faiths, lifestyles and hobbies.
I'm in favour of organised events yes but not at the expense of a bit of back garden fun.


Anyway enough if my rant. Goid luck getting the house back in order soon. Horah for insurance

I too don't want to stop a bit of back garden fun. But when a Firework not suitable for anywhere other than at an organised display is so powerful it punches a hole in a tiled roof and explodes inside your house it does change your outlook somewhat. The Loss Adjusters are now talking nearer 9 months than 6 months before we move back in.

Trouble is a Ban would not have full public support and the Legislation would be so widely abused to make it virtually unenforceable. A bit like the use of hand held mobiles nice idea but no effective consistent enforcement.

Dog owners have to accept that between Diwali and New Year there are few weekends without Fireworks. I thought it was owners of Thatched Cottages that were most at risk but when a device bordering on being a Mortar Bomb becomes the norm more properties and lives will be at risk by the reckless actions of a handful or folk with brain cells in single figures!

Rant over.

 

[solarman216]

But it beggars the question, "how can a numbskull get hold of such a device?" and if it was a result of an organised display by "professionals" then their insurance should be made to pay, worth investigating, Rick