Fire victims searching for homes

Some people were left with nothing but the clothes they stood in

Families who lost their homes and possessions in the Broadlands fire are still searching for somewhere to live.

Forty people, who were left with almost nothing after the blaze on July 14, are currently in temporary housing department accommodation.

However, because many of them are foreign workers, unqualified housing needs to be found for them.

An appeal is being made for help from islanders who may be able to put some families up.

Dominique Caunce from the States' housing department said: "They have got a roof over their heads but they can't move on with their lives until they have a proper home."

Under Jersey law people can only rent or buy qualified property after they have lived in the island for 13 years.

People who do not have residential status can only legally rent in the non-qualified sector, and this is what is being sought for the fire families.

Smoke from the blaze drifted across the approach to the airport

They include foreign workers from Madeira and Poland who had been living in flats at the former Broadlands Hotel in St Peter when the fire broke out.

Many of them were left with nothing but the clothes they stood in.

Donations to help them have totalled over £44,000 so far. Islanders have also donated clothes and furniture.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a spark from welding equipment in a workshop at the Broadlands site.

Within a short time it had spread to other buildings, including the neighbouring recycling centre and staff accommodation for people working there.

The smoke from the fire also resulted in the temporary closure of the island's airport.