EXCLUSIVE

by Tessa Youens

tyouens@thekmgroup.co.uk

A FAMILY watched their home be consumed by flames as firefighters struggled to find a water supply.

Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service had no choice but to drain a neighbour’s swimming pool after it became apparent there was no working water supply nearby.

Julie and Mark Wood of Valley Lane, Meopham, their three young sons and other residents helplessly looked on as the bungalow perished in front of them.

Mrs Wood, who has lived in the private lane for 18 months, said: “All we could do was watch the bungalow burn. We just watched it cave in.”

The family were all asleep when the fire started in the roofspace of the property, which is predominately made from wood.

Julie, 42, who was woken by a crackling sound, got the children and her 17-year-old nephew out of the burning building while her husband attempted to fight the fire with a hose.

Around 24 firefighters from Thames-side, Borough Green and Larkfield were on hand to help extinguish the blaze but were unable to do so until they discovered a nearby swimming pool.

Thames-side’s white watch manager Chris Peacock, said: “When we arrived the fire had engulfed the roof and there were about 40ft flames.

“We had trouble finding a water supply.”

The family are now living in a caravan, having lost their home and almost all of their possessions.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.