TWO families that “had their lives turned upside down” by a fire destroying their village homes are still in temporary housing, four months on.

On June 1 a fire ripped through two properties in Bishopstone, dealt with by firefighters for around seven hours and leaving two uninhabitable homes in its wake.

As a result both the Lodge family and Crane family lost everything and were forced to leave the village.

Jamie-Lee Lodge with husband Dom had no other option but to move to her mother’s home in Swindon - read their story here.

The couple, with children Blake and Adelaide, returned to Salisbury in time for the new school year, and are living in an Air BnB while their former home on Stanley Close is fully demolished and rebuilt.

'Nothing has moved forward since June'

Describing the situation as “still not feeling real”, Jamie-Lee said: “We’re not really being kept in the loop and we’re not sure what will happen next, but we’re just trying to carry on.

“Our main panic was that we didn’t want the children to change schools, so we’re grateful we’re back.

“All we have heard is that we will be lucky to be back in Bishopstone within a year, it feels like nothing has moved forward since June.”

Similarly, Debra Crane, who lived in the second home with daughter Mia, walked away from their roofless property with just a bag of clothes, and described the current situation as “living in limbo”.

'Some days are okay and others the reality hits me'

Also living in temporary accommodation in Salisbury, Debra said: “We’re just living out of suitcases, it’s just all up in the air and still very stressful as we don’t know what’s happening with the house, and our animals have had to be split up across different places.

“I’m in the village every day [for work], it’s quite depressing that nothing really changes.

“I’m so used to being in the countryside, I miss the open spaces, especially the sunrises, living in the city has been hard for me and living away from animals, friends and family.

“Every day is different - some days are okay and others the reality hits me.”

Salisbury Journal:

Firefighters deal with Bishopstone house fire on June 1, 2021

Community raises more than £5k

Fundraisers were previously launched by neighbour Emily Foot to support the families, with the community donating money, food, toys, furniture and more.

The Lodge family fundraiser reached around £3,700, and the Crane family £1,800.

“It’s been so helpful, we’ve put it straight into savings as we really haven’t got anywhere to store new things at the moment,” Jamie-Lee said.

“If it wasn’t for the fundraiser and the community support, I don’t know where we would have been. It’s nice that people pull together.”

'We want to move back to Bishopstone'

Talking about the future Jamie-Lee added: “We want to move back to Bishopstone as it’s such a lovely area. With the fire, the community has been so amazing so we want to go back, we just don’t know how long it will take.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us, without that we would be stuck in a rut.

“You don’t realise until you’re in this position how helpful people are.”

Debra added: “It’s two families that had their lives turned upside down.

“We can’t use the money at the moment as we have no where to put anything, but I’m so grateful for everybody that came and helped, and came with their well wishes and concerns.

“We’ve received nothing but support, love and kindness ever since it happened.”

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