Our village was destroyed by ‘apocalyptic’ fires… one year on and we’re still living in caravans, no one will help
RESIDENTS are still living in caravans one year on from an “apocalyptic” fire which destroyed their village – saying no one will help.
The blaze tore through Wennington, on the outskirts of east London, on July 19 2022 – forcing villagers to flee for days.
Over 100 firefighters were needed to tackle the inferno, which was only put out after nearly nine hours.
It destroyed two detached houses, two semis, two rows of terraced houses, five cars and several other buildings.
Miraculously, no one in the village of just 300 people was injured in the fire.
A year on, charred trees still line the streets of the village – with residents opening up about their “horrific” ordeal.
Villager Michael, 71, said: “It was like the apocalypse. You just didn’t know when it was going to stop.
“There was nothing you could do. Every day I’d come back but it was blocked at each end.”
He added: “They’ve knocked all the houses down and nothing’s happened.
“Every day you see it. Every day you walk out there’s a gap. Four houses out and there’s nothing there now.”
Another resident, who did not want to be named, still lives with his wife in a caravan parked on the burnt-out remnants of his home.
Neighbour Julie said: “It was terrifying. You had the people whose houses had caught alight coming down this end, and it was all chaos.”
The villager’s garden was destroyed by the fire after flames spread across the marsh.
She said: “We were sandwiched in. My garden is my pride and joy.”
Another resident was evacuated because her house sat on gas mains – leaving behind her cancer meds.
She said: “A year on it’s still quite horrific. I came out with nothing.
“I had no shoes on as I’d been gardening. No phone, no money, no cards.
“The main thing is, we all survived. Some people have lost their homes so it’s far worse for some people.”
Havering Council leader Ray Morgan said: “The fire caused massive disruption to residents in Wennington.
“We continue to be there to help the people and families affected to rebuild their lives.”
The London Fire Brigade’s Neil Guyett said: “Our thoughts remain with those impacted by the devastating fire in Wennington.”