'It took 10 minutes for flames to engulf our home'

14 hours ago

Robby West,in Kenninghalland

Neve Gordon-Farleigh

News image — Siobhan Fulcher says everything in her home has been destroyed including memories and photographs from when her son (left) was growing up

John Fairhall/BBC Aaron Fulcher crouching on the ground in front of his mum's former home. Next to him is Siobhan Fulcher. The pair of them have three dogs, two are on leads and one is being held in Aaron's arm. They are both crouched on the ground and are looking directly at the camera. — Siobhan Fulcher says everything in her home has been destroyed including memories and photographs from when her son (left) was growing up

A healthcare worker said everything in her "beautiful" home has been destroyed after a fire spread across a field and engulfed her bungalow in 10 minutes.

Siobhan Fulcher had lived in the property in Kenninghall, Norfolk, for 12 years and her 33-year-old son Aaron said the fire had "destroyed our lives".

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to a significant field fire on Sunday that had caused extensive damage to two homes, with crews managing to contain the blaze and avoid it spreading to neighbouring properties.

"I had a lovely home. It was beautiful inside and now it's all smashed - everything, all my memories of Aaron when he was little," Siobhan said.

John Fairhall/BBC The outside of Siobhan Fulcher's Kenninghall bungalow. A red and white striped fire service cordon has been placed outside the property following a fire in Sunday. Part of the roof has caved in which was damaged during the blaze. The picture has been taken on a clear day with a blue sky. — Siobhan Fulcher had lived in the property in Kenninghall, Norfolk, for 12 years

Aaron said he watched the fire spread across a nearby field from their garage roof and it took him about 30 seconds to process that the blaze was coming his way.

He said: "My first instinct was to make sure everyone in the house was out and to get our four dogs out as well.

"It happened so quickly. We saw the fire and then 10 minutes later the house was engulfed."

John Fairhall/BBC An aerial drone photograph of Siobhan's bungalow. Where conifer trees once stood they have now been singed from the fire and the roof has caved in. — Aaron said he watched the fire spread before realising the blaze was coming his way

The family have been placed in temporary accommodation until a permanent property becomes available.

Siobhan added her home was filled with a lifetime of memories.

"It's destroyed our community, it's destroyed our neighbours' lives, it's destroyed our lives," Aaron added.

More stories on Norfolk fires:

Lee Watson Plumes of black smoke are rising into the air from a field. The smoke is so thick it has absolutely engulfing nearby homes. The picture has been taken from above using a drone. — The fire service said the fire started after sparks from a power transformer fell onto dry land

The service said the blaze was accidental and had been caused by a fault on a power transformer in a field, which caused sparks to land on dry ground before spreading.

Aaron said: "The previous four or five days have been torture, it's been unbearable. I don't think I've ever been so upset in my whole life for what has happened to my mum here and what has happened to our neighbours as well.

"I'm hoping we can look forward to the future and something good may happen."

'It was like a tornado'

John Fairhall/BBC Mark Matthews a man standing in front of a property in Kenninghall. The property is cordoned off following a significant fire which has left the property inhabitable. Matthews is looking directly at the camera and is wearing a life patterned shirt. — Mark Matthews said the fire came through the hedge like a "tornado"

Mark Matthews, Siobhan's neighbour, said he had been having dinner on Sunday when he could see smoke from his conservatory window.

At first he mistook it for a neighbour having a barbecue, but quickly the flames began to get closer and closer.

He said: "Aaron came outside and said Mark the field is on fire and before we knew where we was, I was in the back garden and the fire was unbearable. It came through the hedge like a tornado and basically that was the end of it.

"I ran back and got the car for her [Siobahn] - it was unbelievable. Unbearable."

Alongside Aaron, the pair made sure everything and everyone was out of the house.

"I've never been so frightened in my life. I don't know how we did it. I don't even know how we really got out of there. It was frightening. Real frightening," he said.

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