A man who escaped with his life after fire ravaged his home is suing Basildon Council for negligence.At last! Someone declaring that they are not prepared to put up with lousy service!
Mr Maicher, who has appointed a solicitor, lost all his belongings in the November 13 inferno, and is one of those left homeless.Since the arsonists are no doubt out of reach…
He is adamant the council didn’t react quick enough and get rid of the dumped sofa outside his home, which arsonists lit to start the inferno.
He claims it was there for around a month. However, the council said the abandoned furniture was never reported.Which is a rather different tune to the one they were singing a few days back:
Two weeks ago, Gary Edwards, Basildon Council’s head of street scene and leisure, insisted the furniture was “not the cause” , as he issued a warning to residents to report abandoned furniture.Ooops! Caught bang to rights!
However, Sarah Thapa, spokeswoman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed: “The settee was a factor in the fire’s development, as well as two armchairs.So, what has happened to the lying council official?
“The investigation into the fire has now been completed, and it has been recorded as deliberate ignition.”
Probably nothing:
Rab Fallon, Basildon Council’s head of housing services, admitted the council had got it wrong.And instead is falling on the ‘no-one reported it!’ line.
Well, Rab, you’ve been caught out in one lie already. Why believe you about this..?
5 comments:
Oh dear, doesn't everyone have a monthly collection of large domestic objects that are surplice to requirements as we do in our small French village - as well as two garbage collections a week?
Basildon has one excuse, but possibly not for this incident.
A relative of mine rang the council who agreed, without charge, to come and remove a defunct freezer so that it could be de-gassed safely and save all the little polar bears. They were as helpful as can be - no complaint.
The fridge was dragged to the front wall and due to be picked up next morning. It went very early, before my relative even realized.
Then the man from the council arrived, as promised and said "where's the fridge?"
Turns out there are mystery salvagers running round. It was far from the first time the salvagers had got there before the council, who were bang on time.
You may care to speculate on who is doing it, but it would be better if Basildon set some items up with trackers so they could see where they are going.
It is possible the sofa started out in one place and was called in, but was moved and abandoned in another. It would then take a while before other householders said "can you move this sofa?" Or it might be the council just lost track of it. In the experience of my Basildon relative the council act quickly to remove refuse if they are told precisely where it is. They aren't, after all, psychic.
“It doesn’t matter if it was reported or not, the council should be looking after the area and cleaning these things up."
And while they're at it perhaps Mr Maicher would like the council to wipe his bottom for him, do his washing, spoon feed him.
Who dumped the sofa? Surely a resident. Who couldn't be bothered to make a phone call? Residents. Who would not lift a finger to shift the thing away from the buildings? Residents. So now they've lost their residences - a sort of Darwinism in action.
"Oh dear, doesn't everyone have a monthly collection of large domestic objects that are surplice to requirements as we do in our small French village..."
Sadly no, though as WoaR points out, most councils do have a 'call for collection' service.
Though the council has to get there before the scrap metal dealers, bored chavs and other pranksters....
"...it would be better if Basildon set some items up with trackers so they could see where they are going. "
Hmmm, could they prove 'theft' if they did, though? I suppose the 'stealing by finding' rule might apply?
"And while they're at it perhaps Mr Maicher would like the council to wipe his bottom for him, do his washing, spoon feed him."
Perhaps he feels that, having paid his council tax, he's entitled to expect Basildon council to remove known fire risks?
And maybe not lie to him into the bargain?
"So now they've lost their residences - a sort of Darwinism in action."
I'd agree with you there. If not for the council tax problem. Which I see is going up again as a result of the small print in the PBR...
I'm all for self-sufficiency, so long as I'm not expected to ALSO pay for services that I don't get. I suspect Mr Maicher might be of similar mind.
I'm all for self-sufficiency, so long as I'm not expected to ALSO pay for services
I'm not really suggesting self sufficiency, rather I'm advocating "pray for help sailor but row for shore". Mr Maicher apparently wouldn't bother even praying for help. ( “It doesn’t matter if it was reported or not, the council should be looking after the area and cleaning these things up.")
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