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Mother who lost her home in Holbeach fire criticises Lincolnshire Police for lack of action after blaze sparked by firework




A mother who had to watch on as a blaze sparked by a stray firework destroyed her home is frustrated that police have closed her case.

Karolyn Ward, her husband Richard and daughter Mollie, 10, fled their burning home in Hallgate, Holbeach, on New Year’s Eve.

The neighbouring property, owned by Jayden Nightingale, was also damaged in the fire - which Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have confirmed was caused by a stray firework.

The fire on New Year's Eve at Hallgate, Holbeach was caused by a stray firework
The fire on New Year's Eve at Hallgate, Holbeach was caused by a stray firework

Now Mrs Ward, who is currently staying with relatives while the family rebuilding their lives, has spoken of her frustration about the lack of action taken by police in her case.

She said: “Even though there is CCTV footage of people letting off fireworks and footage of our shed on fire shortly after, the police can’t prove that firework was the one that hit out shed,

“So those idiots have burnt down two houses, nearly killed three people and there is nothing police can do.

“We get that they didn’t go out that night and intentionally put it in my shed - it was an accident - but people who have car accidents don’t intentionally go out and crash their cars either - but they get done for it - what’s the difference?”

The house has been destroyed by the blaze
The house has been destroyed by the blaze

Westlife fan Mrs Ward has lost memorabilia she has collected from concerts over a number of years in the blaze but luckily the family birth certificates survived as these were locked in a fire proof safe.

She said: “I am a huge fan of Westlife.

“I found my favourite Westlife shoes in the conservatory - but these are all that was recognisable.”

The family car is completely destroyed. PHOTOS: Karolyn Ward
The family car is completely destroyed. PHOTOS: Karolyn Ward

The shell of the family’s home is all that remains after the blaze destroyed the roof - along with gutting the family’s car.

They are currently staying with family members and have been waiting for replacement mobile phones and sim cards.

A police spokesperson said: “We have pursued a number of lines of enquiries and have now deemed the incident to be a non-criminal matter.

The fire has completely gutted their house
The fire has completely gutted their house

“However, if new information was to come to light, we would of course take that into consideration.”

The Holbeach-area community has rallied round and set up crowd funding pages which have raised £4,755 for Mr Nightingale and £8,650 for the Ward family.

Mrs Ward added: “We just want to thank everyone for their kind donations.

The family is left with burnt rubble
The family is left with burnt rubble
Karolyn's car keys were melted
Karolyn's car keys were melted
Mrs Ward has lost part of her prized Westlife collection in the blaze. PHOTOS: SUBMITTED
Mrs Ward has lost part of her prized Westlife collection in the blaze. PHOTOS: SUBMITTED
Lincolnshire Police. Stock image
Lincolnshire Police. Stock image

“We are still working our way through them.”

A charity event is being planned at Sutton Bridge Conservative Club on Friday, January 24 to raise further funds.

Do you feel there should be a change in the rules regarding fireworks? Post a comment below…



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