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| Looters strike at fire-hit homes | Looters strike at fire-hit homes |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Families returning to fire-hit houses in Newport have said it is sickening to find looters have struck at the homes. | Families returning to fire-hit houses in Newport have said it is sickening to find looters have struck at the homes. |
| Police confirmed two properties on Marlborough Road in Maindee were looted some time between the area's evacuation on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. | Police confirmed two properties on Marlborough Road in Maindee were looted some time between the area's evacuation on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. |
| Resident Katie Cook said her wallet, jewellery box and other valuables had been taken from her house. | Resident Katie Cook said her wallet, jewellery box and other valuables had been taken from her house. |
| Six homes were demolished after the blaze spread from a joinery workshop, and another is to be knocked down. | Six homes were demolished after the blaze spread from a joinery workshop, and another is to be knocked down. |
| On Thursday, five remaining homes were inspected by structural engineers and owners were subsequently told that their homes could be saved from demolition. | On Thursday, five remaining homes were inspected by structural engineers and owners were subsequently told that their homes could be saved from demolition. |
| It was when residents were given permission to go back into their properties to gather some possessions that they noticed items were missing. | It was when residents were given permission to go back into their properties to gather some possessions that they noticed items were missing. |
| Gwent Police said families were "sickened" the looting had occurred and that forensic teams would be gathering evidence in a bid to catch those responsible. | Gwent Police said families were "sickened" the looting had occurred and that forensic teams would be gathering evidence in a bid to catch those responsible. |
| Power has been restored but gas will be cut off until Thursday | Power has been restored but gas will be cut off until Thursday |
| Chief Superintendent Kevin Price said: "The majority of people have pulled together but there are those who will feed off the misery and further victimise those who are at their most vulnerable." | Chief Superintendent Kevin Price said: "The majority of people have pulled together but there are those who will feed off the misery and further victimise those who are at their most vulnerable." |
| He said looters had gained access to the houses from the rear of the buildings and officers had responded to noises from the back of the properties at 0200 BST on Thursday. | He said looters had gained access to the houses from the rear of the buildings and officers had responded to noises from the back of the properties at 0200 BST on Thursday. |
| "Over the last 48 hours, we have seen the best of society and it's been really heart-warming, but to hear the news that two properties had been entered and property stolen, well, it's just so disappointing. " | "Over the last 48 hours, we have seen the best of society and it's been really heart-warming, but to hear the news that two properties had been entered and property stolen, well, it's just so disappointing. " |
| And Mayor of Newport Allan Morris told any "vultures" to stay away. | And Mayor of Newport Allan Morris told any "vultures" to stay away. |
| "We are not going to let the actions of a small minority spoil this for us - we are rebuilding a community," he said. | "We are not going to let the actions of a small minority spoil this for us - we are rebuilding a community," he said. |
| The fire is believed to have started at an nearby joinery workshop | |
| Mr Morris, who was a firefighter for 28 years, added he was amazed that a fire on this scale had not caused any injury or death. | Mr Morris, who was a firefighter for 28 years, added he was amazed that a fire on this scale had not caused any injury or death. |
| Meanwhile, rubble from the demolished houses is being taken away. | Meanwhile, rubble from the demolished houses is being taken away. |
| Housing officers and social services staff have been speaking to people and assessing their housing needs on an individual basis. | Housing officers and social services staff have been speaking to people and assessing their housing needs on an individual basis. |
| "Some are staying with friends and family and some need us to re-house them. Where appropriate we will re-house them," said a spokesman for Newport County Council. | "Some are staying with friends and family and some need us to re-house them. Where appropriate we will re-house them," said a spokesman for Newport County Council. |
| Meanwhile, Amanda Dyer, whose house was demolished after the fire, is carrying out a leaflet drop to try and find two cats Max, who is black with some tufts of white on his chest, and Merlin, who is black with a white vest. | Meanwhile, Amanda Dyer, whose house was demolished after the fire, is carrying out a leaflet drop to try and find two cats Max, who is black with some tufts of white on his chest, and Merlin, who is black with a white vest. |
| On Wednesday, briefings were held at Newport Leisure Centre where a team of people from the council and emergency services updated residents. | On Wednesday, briefings were held at Newport Leisure Centre where a team of people from the council and emergency services updated residents. |
| Gwent Police said that the area had been made safe and the electricity supply had been restored, but the gas would remain cut off until Thursday. | Gwent Police said that the area had been made safe and the electricity supply had been restored, but the gas would remain cut off until Thursday. |