A couple from Arnold, Nottinghamshire, have been left with a £15,000 repair bill after artificial grass in their garden caught fire and spread to their home. The blaze broke out in the early hours of May 7, forcing Shaun Whyatt and Jenn Barnet to flee with their two cats.
The fire started after Shaun had been burning letters in a fire bin and poured water over it, believing the flames were extinguished. However, embers escaped through small holes in the bin and ignited the couple's £1,000 plastic lawn. The flames quickly spread to the house, and the pair were only alerted by a neighbour banging on their door.
Speaking about the incident, Shaun said: "We couldn't believe it. If it wasn't for our neighbours, we wouldn't be here now." The fire caused extensive damage to fencing, decking, a shed, its tools, and all the rear windows of the house. The couple are now living on microwave meals while they raise funds to cover the repair costs.
The couple were not insured for the incident, as Jenn had changed her bank account and mistakenly believed she had updated her insurance details. Two missed payments led to the policy being cancelled just as the fire occurred. Jenn, a trained nurse, said she regrets installing the artificial lawn a decade ago and will never have fake grass again.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters from Arnold, Carlton, and Stockhill stations attended the scene on Cornell Drive at 3.08am. They used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire, which had started in the garden and spread to the house.
