Homeowner speaks after fire tragedy
A Marden dentist has spoken of the devastating fire
which gutted her grade II listed home and killed her beloved
dog.
Kaumudi Dhutia felt "absolute
destruction " on hearing 13-year-old Labrador cross, Bertie, died
in the blaze which caused more than £100,000 worth of damage at
500-year-old Church Green House in Chantry Road.
Fire broke out in the kitchen
of the five-bedroom detached property, believed to be the
second-oldest house in the village.
It was unoccupied at the time
as Mrs Dhutia was visiting her daughter in Spain.
A member of staff at nearby
Marden Dental Care, the surgery she has run for 25 years, dialled
999 after a passer-by saw smoke pouring from the
chimney.
Six crews spent four hours
battling the blaze which destroyed the kitchen- where the dog was
found still in his basket - and a bedroom directly above
it.
Thinking the dog was still
sleeping, firefighters took Bertie to a nearby vets but he had died
of smoke inhalation.
The fire is still under
investigation, but it’s thought the cause may have been an
electrical fault.
Although devastated by her
dog’s death, Mrs Dhutia has been overwhelmed by the support of
villagers following the tragic incident on Friday, February
1.
She said: "Everybody knew
Bertie, he was known as the Dentist’s Dog.
"The damage to the house was
far worse than we could’ve imagined, but a house can be replaced, a
dog can’t.
"I’ve had so much support
from staff, patients and neighbours.
"People have offered me
accommodation in their homes and even offered to do my
cleaning.
"Everyone’s been so helpful
and I’d like to thank them for all their kindness."
For full story, read this
Friday’s KM.
11/02/13
- Click here for more Maidstone news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...