Relief as Amesbury man moves home nearly three years on from fire
Sandell Place caught fire in June 2023 - and residents are finally beginning to move home
An Amesbury man says he's delighted to be moving back home, two and a half years after being forced out by a fire.
Having spent over two years in temporary accommodation, Ben Appleby is returning to his home at Sandell Place with relief but also frustration over the delays in the process.
“I’ve been really excited to move back after being in purgatory for the last two years,” Ben explained. “But it’s a shame it wasn’t ready when they said it would be.”
Residents faced promises of return dates in the months leading up to Christmas, only for those deadlines to be delayed.
Ben described the disruption as “awful,” highlighting the challenge of dealing with utilities and packing and unpacking belongings multiple times.
The blaze in June 2023 began in the bin storage area, but despite a Fire Service investigation, the cause remains unknown.
Mental health impact
The extended period in temporary housing took a toll on Ben’s mental health as he endured uncertainty about his living situation.
“It’s been hard to settle in somewhere you knew you’d have to leave eventually,” Ben said. “It feels great to finally return to a place where I hope to feel comfortable and safe again.”
Friends and family played a vital role in helping Ben cope over the past two years. “There have been moments where I’ve just shut down, feeling sorry for myself, but they’ve rallied around me,” he shared.
Moving forward
As Ben settles back into his restored flat, the transition is still ongoing. His possessions have returned from storage, but packing up temporary accommodation has only just begun.
Looking ahead, Ben hopes to leave the difficult chapter behind and regain a sense of pride in his living space. “Over the last couple of years, it didn’t feel possible to be proud of where I was, but being back is a step towards that,” he said.
Sandell Place residents, including Ben, are now working to rebuild their lives after the fire. While the return marks progress, some challenges remain to be addressed.
Housing Association "thrilled" to see people returning home
Dave Lockerman, Director of Housing Operations for Stonewater Housing said: “We’re thrilled that customers at Sandell Place are in the process of moving back home, after what we appreciate has been a long and challenging period since the fire.
“Throughout this time, our team has remained closely involved — providing regular updates, ongoing support and access to our wider services. Working collaboratively with the freeholder, we’ve gone beyond simply repairing the building. Extensive works have been completed to ensure customers return to homes that feel almost as new.
“Our focus is on continuing to support customers both during their move back home and into the future.”