Arson victim 'devastated' at loss

An Oxfordshire woman left homeless after an arson attack has said she is "devastated" at losing 30 years of her life in the blaze.

Police believe the fire was started by a burglar who broke into Carol Berry's property in Lieden Road in the Wood Farm area of Oxford on Tuesday night.

The pensioner has lost her book collection, and "irreplaceable" photographs of her grandchildren.

She will have to replace her belongings herself as she is uninsured.

Mrs Berry had been away for the weekend with her daughter, who she lives with, and saw the fire through the window as they pulled up outside the house.

Detectives said the council-owned property suffered "substantial damage" in the blaze.

Mrs Berry said she has not been able to go inside because police have been using chemicals and the fumes meant it was still unsafe.

She said: "We are just waiting to find out when we can go in to see what's left and whether anything has been taken.

"They've just told us that the hall is badly burned and there is extensive smoke damage in the rooms but we don't know which rooms."

Burnt pieces of furniture and materials are piled on the lawn outside her home.

But Mrs Berry said she was trying not to let it get her down.

"It's devastating to see your things and your house like this, but these things are not essentials and can be replaced.

"It will take money of course but we are just thankful that we are not in the house - it could have been so much worse," she said.

"There are some things you can't actually replace like photos of my grandchildren - things like that.

"They are of no monetary value, just sentimental, but you can't buy back your memories.

"But the worst thing, the worst thing of all, is not knowing how long I've got to stay out the house and where I'm going to live for the next few weeks - I've got no idea."

A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: "We are liaising with the resident. She has chosen to stay with friends for the time being.

"When the police forensic team allow us access to the property we will send a surveyor to assess the damage.

"We will then be in a position to know how long it will take to make good the damage, and to help Mrs Berry with any temporary accommodation requirements."

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