By Martin Walker
An ex-Aycliffe resident who used to live next door to the house which went up in flames on Monday says he tried to warn local environmental health officials about potential fire hazards – but his calls went unnoticed.
Monday’s fire, at Honister Place in the town, claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman, while her 37-year-old son survived and is still in Darlington Hospital.
Police are yet to officially confirm their identities until their families have been informed, while Durham Police and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service are currently carrying out a joint investigation to determine the cause.
Lee Bailey lived at Honister Place for eight years before moving to Darlington last October, with his partner and their three children.
The 29-year-old, who works at Orange in Darlington, was neighbours of the fire victims since 2003 and says he tried to warn council officials about potential hazards in their house.
He claims the property was cluttered and entrances/exits were blocked, and that he reported his concerns to environmental health officials at Durham County Council.
Mr Bailey says it was an “accident waiting to happen” – and his “stomach turned” when he heard the tragic news on Monday afternoon.
“I was shell-shocked,” he told Aycliffe Today. “My stomach turned, but then it turned to anger, because of how many times I told environmental health about potential fire and safety hazards.
“They kept themselves to themselves, but they seemed to have a lot of stuff in their house which was blocking doorways.
“It looked hazardous, an accident waiting to happen, and I always felt if something happened in there – if, god forbid, a fire started out – they’d have no chance.
“I can’t help think if someone had listened to me, this might not have happened.
“There are people out there who are left to their own devices and some people need advice on fire safety and things like that – it’s tragic that this has been allowed to happen.”
A spokeswoman for Durham Council today said the authority could not confirm any details of such claims by Mr Bailey, and that the council does not routinely comment on any individual case.
Aycliffe Today also spoke to John Walkden, assistant district manager for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, at the Honister Place site this afternoon.
He said: “We’d like to reassure the general public that tragic incidents like this are infrequent, but the most important thing is to have a working smoke alarm in your house.
“We’d also urge people to look out for other people – anyone who has any friends, relatives or neighbours who may be vulnerable, just check their houses for potential fire risks and make sure they have working smoke alarms, it could quite literally save their lives.”
Residents can arrange a home safety visit, which includes fitting a free smoke alarm, by calling 0191 332 4222 or visit www.ddfire.gov.uk
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