Appeal for woman after house fire 'ruined my life'

Moira Deeprose says the first thing she knew about a fire at her home was when a neighbour knocked her door down and she had to flee in just her nightdress and slippers.

She said she "almost fell down the stairs" in her rush to get out of her home in Quinton, Birmingham, before someone pulled her out through the door.

The fire "ruined my life", she added, as she waits for a permanent home to move into.

West Midlands Fire Service said it believed the fire was caused accidentally, "by careless cigarette disposal".

An online fundraising appeal has been set up for the 75-year-old, who said she had lost everything in a house fire.

Moira had lived at the house on The Hill for 45 years and said while furniture could be replaced, some personal possessions could not.

They included memories of her son, who died in April.

Recalling the fire, she said: "I was lying on the bed reading and then I could hear somebody kicking my front door in and shouting 'Moira, your house is on fire.'"

The fire service said the fire had started in a garden and Deeprose said: "I know it wasn't done deliberately but people should think."

Since the house was boarded up it has been burgled a number of times, but there has been some support for her.

Richard Harris, from the Barnardo's charity shop in Quinton, set up the online fundraising page for her and also invited her to visit.

She said: "Every day I go in, they give me a hug and that means more than anything."

Harris said: "We wanted to show her that community isn't just a word, it's people. And we wanted to give her hope that even in your darkest times that there are people out there, and you might not know this, who genuinely care."

Deeprose is currently living with her daughter and said she has never owned a computer, so has struggled to access support while she has been without a home.

Birmingham City Council said: "Losing your home can be an extremely distressing experience, and our sympathies are with everyone affected.

"Our housing officers are in regular contact with the tenant and are providing support during this difficult time."

The authority also said it had a shortage of council homes because of "years of under investment" which had made it difficult to house Deeprose.

But it said it had been able to show her a range of options for temporary accommodation and would continue to support her.

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