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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Looters strike at fire-hit homes | Looters strike at fire-hit homes |
| (20 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. |
| We are not going to let the actions of a small minority spoil this for us Mayor of Newport Allan Morris | |
| Ms Cook said: "Some of my things had been stolen, my wallet, my camera, my jewellery box. | |
| "The community spirit has been so good since the fire, then for people to pounce on somebody else's devastation is an awful thing to do. | |
| "There was police presence, but the back of the property was open, they must have got in that way. | |
| "Just to believe that humans can do that when people have gone through things like this is awful - I think it is despicable really." | |
| Ms Cook said she was now wondering about whether her house would need to be demolished in the future. | |
| "The council believe it can be saved, but that depends on the structural damage and on my neighbours houses and how structurally sound they are," she said. | |
| She added the events of the last week had not fully sunk in yet, although she was determined to stay in her house if she could. | |
| 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. |
| 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. | |
| Six houses in the street have already had to be demolished | |
| "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. |
| 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. |
| Rubble from the demolished houses is being taken away and housing officers and social services staff have been speaking to people and assessing their housing needs on an individual basis. | |
| 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. |