Couple 'lose everything' after stray firework destroys their home in Derby
A couple have been forced to move out of their home until Easter after a wayward firework hit their roof and exploded in Derby.
Monday 6 November 2017 18:51, UK
A stray firework has destroyed a house in Derby after hitting the roof and starting a blaze which wrecked most of the owners' possessions.
Wendy and Ted Bagshaw say they have "lost everything" in the fire.
The couple were at home with their dogs when the firework hit their roof and exploded at 7.45pm on Saturday.
"It was just a normal Saturday night," said Mrs Bagshaw, 63. "It was all fine until I suddenly heard what sounded like an Exocet missile.
"It shook the whole house - I now know how earthquake victims feel.
"I have worked with explosives and I have pushed the button to demolish cooling towers, but I can honestly say I've never heard an explosion like that."
Her husband Ted, 69, suffered an angina attack - which occurs when the blood supply to the heart's muscles is restricted - after the incident.
The retired police officer was forced to lie down for an hour at their neighbour's house to recover.
The couple initially thought their house had survived relatively intact.
"We thought it was just a couple of tiles off the roof at first," said Mrs Bagshaw. "But then a young man drove by and said, 'do you know your roof is on fire?'"
The damage to the house ended up being so severe that they have been forced to move into a nearby hotel in Littleover, and will not be able to return until Easter next year.
Mrs Bagshaw continued: "We'll miss Christmas here, Ted's 70th birthday, our 40th wedding anniversary will be coming up.
"My house is devastated, we have lost everything."
Mrs Bagshaw was left overwhelmed when it emerged she had lost all her memories of her mum, who passed away in January, in the fire.
She said: "My life has changed in an instant - just for this stupid firework."