BUNGLING workmen have left three sets of Askern pensioners HOMELESS at Christmas, after burning down their bungalows... while giving them a "decent homes" upgrade!

Plumbers from Doncaster Council's St Leger Homes were working with Bramall Construction, upgrading central heating systems – ironically as part of the DMBC's Decent Homes Programme – when the loft of one bungalow went up in flames.

It is believed a blowtorch ignited loft insulation causing an inferno that spread through the roof space of two adjoining homes.

The fire began in the loft of 67-year-old Alan Smith, at Norbreck Road, Askern. He was downstairs watching cricket on TV – when the workmen
rushed into the kitchen asking for water, and told him to get out!

Meanwhile, the flames were spreading rapidly, into the roofs of the two bungalows on either side of Alan's, severely damaging the trio of homes.

Alan – who is due to have a double knee operation next year – desperately tried to grab as many of his own and his wife Dot's belongings, as he could. But he was forced out by the fire, after collecting just a single carrier bag full of items.

His daughter Karen Leighton said: "We're all devastated, my dad and
stepmum have lost everything. All of their photos, clothes and pictures have all gone.

"It is ironic that it was to make their houses better but they have left three families homeless - one family is disabled, my dad can barely walk and the other lady in the other bungalow is not very well at all."

Mrs Leighton added: "I'm angry and upset by all of this and gutted for
my dad and Dot.

"When we spoke to the Council no-one was accepting liability but it doesn't take a genius to work out how the fire had happened.

"Dad and my stepmum had had a holiday booked for ages to go to Benidorm but they didn't want to go after the fire. We told him he had to just to get away from everything.

"They came back to no home and there's nothing they can do about it. All their life is now in a carrier bag."

Adwick fire station watch manager Barry Newton happened by the blaze while off duty on holiday.

He said: "I saw the roofs well alight. Luckily the residents were either not in, or were already outside."

It took almost four hours to bring the blaze under control.

A South Yorkshire Fire Service spokesman confirmed: "Three fire crews
and an aerial ladder platform were called to a fire in Norbreck Road at 12.44pm on November 27.

"The accidental fire started in the loft of a bungalow, and spread to the two bungalows on either side."

St Leger Homes' interim chief executive, Colin Mayhead said: "St Leger Homes and Bramall Construction are sorry that this incident has happened and we are doing everything we can to ensure tenants get the support they need.

"We have placed the tenants in a hotel and will work with them to find temporary alternative accommodation while we carry out repairs to their homes.

"We will ensure that the properties are safe and secure while the repairs are taking place.

"We are currently working with partner organisations to investigate the
fire."