‘It’s just gone’: Wennington grandmother reveals devastation after losing her home in wildfires – and wishes she could have saved the furniture her mother had bought just before she died

•  At least 19 homes were destroyed in Wennington in east London during Tuesday’s 40.3C heatwave
•  Elderly couple Alfie and Helen Taylor had lived in the village for nearly 40 years but had their home destroyed
•  ‘I want my house, don’t want all my things, I just want my house,’ Mr Taylor said as his wife wept beside him

A couple who lost their house in Homes in blazes in Wennington have revealed their devastation after the destruction of their home. 

Wildfires struck the capital amid a heatwave last week, destroying family homes, cars and livelihoods in east London. 

Homes were destroyed in the village when a grass fire tore through it during Tuesday’s 40.3C heatwave.

The Wennington fire was the most destructive of a number of major incidents on Tuesday, where as many as 63 properties were destroyed across the UK.

Alfie and Helen Taylor, an elderly couple who had lived at their home in the village for nearly four decades, lost their homes in the recent blazes. 

Homes gutted by fire on July 25, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London. On the day the UK recorded the hottest ever weather temperatures, wildfires spread across England with damage caused to forests, grassland and houses. Wennington, in East London, saw the worst urban damage with houses reduced to rubble 

The dry grass was blackened after being engulfed by flames. The London Fire Brigade sent 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters to the area to deal with blazes that covered a number of buildings and grassland

When asked if she could have saved one thing from the house fire Mrs Taylor replied: ‘My mum’s table and chairs that she gave me just before she died and jewellery, knick knacks grandchildren bought me and our own kids bought us.’

‘I can’t do it’ she said as she began to weep. 

Speaking to Ivor Bennett at Sky News the couple said it was ‘devastating’ to see their destroyed house.

Mr Taylor said it was his ‘life’s joy, life’s work’ that had gone in to their beloved home, especially as Mrs Taylor said they had done up the house ‘so nice’.

‘That’s what we’ve just done we’d done a couple rooms downstairs and another one upstairs, all to no avail, it’s just gone’ she said.

The couple held each other close as they spoke outside their destroyed home in Wennington

Cars and homes were destroyed by the fires across the village, leaving many at a massive loss in just a few hours

Mr Taylor was asked how he would rebuild his life to which he replied: ‘I don’t know.

‘Too old to do this again I suppose’

‘I just want my house back’ he said.

‘I want my house, don’t want all my things, I just want my house’, he continued.

Mr Taylor praised his community, saying: ‘And my lovely neighbours down there you couldn’t wish for better neighbours.

Homes and livelihoods were destroyed by the uncontrolled flames, which spread quickly and easily 

‘And we’ve got the pub. he’s a diamond up there,’ he added pointing behind him.

‘And our family’ Mrs Taylor said, ‘and our family’ Mr Taylor echoed.

Mrs Taylor said: ‘As long as their all alive, that’s the main thing.

‘We’ve all just got to rebuild things’

The couple had visited their house with the fire brigade a few days ago but admitted that this visit was a lot worse than the last.

Two detached houses, two semi-detached houses, two rows of terraced houses, two outbuildings, six single-storey garages, 12 stables and five cars were destroyed by the blaze

The inferno appears to have been sparked by a burning compost heap around 1pm in parched grassland adjacent to Wennington fire station – which meant firefighters were immediately on the scene

Mrs Taylor said that during the first visit ‘You don’t take a lot in, I don’t know you just don’t take it in’ 

‘And now, today I am taking it all in,’ she said through tears. 

Despite it being a week since the fires, many families are still homeless as many whose homes were not damaged are refusing to return home due to the changes that the blaze has caused.

Meterologists have been predicting that the pro-longed hot weather will mean a drought is imminent as hose pipe bans look likely. 

Rows of family houses were destroyed and many may struggle to rebuild

After two days away from their homes, residents who were evacuated were allowed through a police cordon on July 21

Back gardens where paddling pools and swing sets once stood are now ruined

Home Secretary Priti Patel visited Wennington Fire Station earlier today and saw first-hand the devastation wrought to residents’ homes.

Ms Patel tweeted: ‘It was a privilege to visit Wennington Fire Station this morning, where I met our brave firefighters who have worked relentlessly this week combating the devastating fires in London.

‘I will continue to work with London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe and Assistant Commissioner Dominic Ellis to ensure our response to fires is as effective as it can be.’

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