Mum’s arson home misery

OUT in the cold . . . Clare Robinson and daughter Zoe Robinson (12) outside their home which was partially destroyed in an arson attack.

A MOTHER and her three children are still waiting to return home - six weeks after being driven out by an arson attack.

Clare Robinson’s home in Nelson Way, Chadderton, was targeted by attackers who stacked garden furniture and children’s toys against her home and set them alight in the early hours of October 6. The children were staying with their father and Clare was at a friend’s house when a neighbour called to give her the bad news.

Clare (37) said she was told by First Choice Homes Oldham her home would be repaired by October 19, and she wasn’t offered alternative accommodation.

The doors and windows have now been replaced and FCHO say the house is now fit to live in.

But Clare isn’t happy to move her three children back until she has had a chance to redecorate. Clare, Darrell (5), Reanna (7) and Zoe (12) are currently staying with friends.

Clare added: “I go back every day to see if I have any post. It has been depressing going back and seeing the state of it and that nothing was being done. It’s hard living out of black bags.”

She was asked by a FCHO staff member if she had anywhere to stay. As she said that she had friends, she claims that she wasn’t offered alternative housing.

Dave Woods, FCHO homes & investment director, said: “We do all we can to help the customer and get the property back to a habitable state. On this occasion the customer chose not to take up our offer of alternative accommodation and instead made other arrangements.”

“We have maintained regular contact since the incident. We will continue to liaise with the customer to get her back in the property as soon as possible.”