Woman 'emotionally drained' after fire ruins home

A woman who lost her home in a suspected arson attack said hunting for a new property had been "emotionally draining".

Sophie Cole's house in Raphael Avenue, Tilbury, Essex, was destroyed after flames spread from a nearby alleyway on 19 May.

"It's hard because you don't know where you're going to be staying each night," the 31-year-old told BBC Essex.

Thurrock Council said Ms Cole, who has a three-year-old son, had been offered temporary accommodation in Grays.

Her property was deemed uninhabitable by fire crews, who said the flames initially spread to the garden.

Essex Police treated the fire as arson and appealed for witnesses who saw "someone acting suspiciously" in the area to contact officers.

Ms Cole said she was fighting to ensure her son did not suffer while they sofa-surfed between family members' homes.

"We're trying to keep everything normal for him, but it's hard," she said. "My son doesn't know whether he's coming or going.

"It's put a strain on everything but it shows in hard times family comes together. It's been emotionally draining."

Ms Cole accused Thurrock Council of "not moving with urgency" when it came to finding them a suitable home.

She said the 14th-floor flat she had been offered in Grays was unsuitable.

Mark Hurrell, the council's cabinet member for social housing, said the first priority had been to get a roof over the family's heads.

He said officers were assisting them through the rehousing process.

"I can only imagine how traumatic the experience of losing your home to a fire can be," the Labour councillor added.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with this family as we do all we can to get them settled in a new home."

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