A MUM whose beach hut was torched by suspected arsonists may now have to fork out £10,000 to rebuild it.
Andrea Bradford had enjoyed a family beach hut on Fleetwood beach, Lancashire, for the last nine years.
MEN MediaAndrea says her local council has ordered her to pay £10,000 to rebuild the beach hut which was destroyed in a suspected arson attack[/caption]
Taking her children and grandchildren there, the family enjoy the hut to use as a base for days out on the beach, just as Andrea’s family had done when she was younger.
Andrea’s 75-year-old Uncle Trevor also has a chalet nearby, which he uses everyday to read his paper and enjoy the sea views.
However, on May 8 tragedy struck and Andrea found her beach hut up in flames.
Fortunately, someone witnessed the fire and called Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service before the blaze ripped through any more of the chalets.
But Andrea’s hut and her Uncle Trevor’s hut were damaged beyond repair.
Andrea said: “The council cleared the site and made sure everything was safe. They said they’d be in touch and I spoke to a lady at the council. I was heartbroken, I was really upset.”
Months later, Andrea says she received a handwritten letter from Wyre Borough Council that stated she was “in breach of contract” after the fire had completely destroyed her beach hut.
She said the letter explained that the building hadn’t been kept “in the same condition it was leased”.
Andrea says the council informed another chalet owner that she doesn’t need to take out buildings insurance and would only need to have public liability and contents insurance – something the council has admitted.
However, Wyre Borough Council has said that this communication was made in error and that legal obligations still stood.
They said: “We are aware of communication sent by a member of staff in error which incorrectly advised that insurance was not required.”
Now in limbo, Andrea is seeking legal advice after being advised that it could cost her £10,000 to rebuild the beach hut.
She said: “My husband was made redundant like a month ago so this came around the same time. My daughter has just had a baby and I just really don’t need any of this.”
Her main issue with the situation comes from the finger pointing, despite the fire not being any fault of her own.
She added: “We’re a victim of crime but they’re just not interested. I can’t believe that they are doing it, I am absolutely gobsmacked.”
Not only has Andrea suffered from the impact of the fire, but so has her Uncle Trevor.
She said: “He hasn’t been sleeping. He goes down there with his wife, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren – as do we. My children have grown up down there, it’s really sad.”
A spokesperson for Wyre Borough Council said: “During the early morning of 8 May 2023, three beach huts in Fleetwood were destroyed in a fire.
“The huts are owned by the council and leased to tenants. The site of the huts has now been cleared back to the concrete base.
“The leases for the beach huts commenced in 2014 for a 10 year term ending in October 2024.
“The leases specifically and clearly outline that each tenant must ensure that they have building insurance in place for the full reinstatement value.
“We are aware of communication sent by a member of staff in error which incorrectly advised that insurance was not required.
“Whilst the council is sorry that this administrative error was made, the lease signed by each tenant is a legal document that sets out the full terms and conditions.
“The lease states that a tenant must ensure they have building insurance in place for the full reinstatement value.
“Any tenant without adequate insurance therefore is in breach of their lease.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “This investigation has been closed following enquiries. The victim has been updated.”
MEN MediaHow the beach hut in Fleetwood looked before the fire[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
