A recently widowed pensioner has lost all of her beloved husband’s photographs and belongings in a fire which destroyed her home.
When Jean Blanchflower, 80, was evacuated from her home during the heatwave on July 19 she told herself “I’ll be back tomorrow”.
When she was showed a picture of the home she had lived in for 56 years a few hours later, she passed out from seeing the wreckage of rubble and lost memories.
Jean lived in the West View home in Poringland with her husband Michael Andrew Blanchflower where the pair raised their five children.
Michael died on November 3, 2021, with all of his possessions remaining in the house.
Michael and Jean’s daughter, Dawn Turner, 43, said: “When I heard about what happened I raced to mum's house in the hope I would be able to save some of dad's belongings. When I got close all I could see was a wall of thick black smoke.
"I couldn’t breathe it was so bad – I went to look for mum in the community centre.”
The home was filled with jewellery that Michael had bought for his adoring wife over their 62 years of marriage.
The house also contained “irreplaceable” photographs and a message from the Queen for their diamond anniversary.
Jean said: “When Michael died I wasn’t able to get rid of his things. Now they’re gone.”
Dawn added: “Mum slept with dad’s wallet under her pillow every night. He touched it every day and it was important to him – it's just done.
“The fire brigade had ten other houses to save and no one was hurt so we can’t thank them enough.”
Jean added: “I haven’t even started to process it yet.
“When I look at the photos I ask myself: ‘Has it really gone? Am I really not going back there again?’”
The family are hopeful that some of Michael's possessions will turn up in the rubble but for now Jean is living with Dawn in Bungay while she waits for temporary accommodation.
Thankfully Jean does have home insurance and is further being supported by Poringland Parish Council which is raising funds for people affected by the fires.
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