THE OWNER of an 18th century thatched cottage destroyed in a devastating blaze stands in the charred remains of her kitchen.

Eleven weeks ago, Dee Dunn was sitting in the same room enjoying a glass of wine when a neighbour knocked on her door to tell her the roof was on fire.

“It was automatic. I ran outside, grabbed the hosepipe and just stood there mesmerised as my home burnt to the ground. There was nothing I could do,” she said.

Firefighters were able to salvage most of the contents of the £850,000 house in Sopley after the accidental fire started.

But the blaze ripped through the roof of the Grade II listed property, destroying it completely.

Now Ms Dunn has expressed her disbelief that a wild duck has since made a nest in her former dressing room, yet building work has not even begun.

“I’m frustrated at the lack of action being taken,” she said.

Daily Echo:

“I look round here and it’s the epitome of sadness. It’s been 11 weeks down the line and the insurance company are dragging their heels.

“All that’s been done so far is men with buckets have come round to clear the thatch away. How long is it going to take for them to erect some scaffolding?”

She continued: “It’s disheartening because it’s such a beautiful cottage. I bought it five years ago and it was love at first sight. Even in the state it’s in now, I still love it dearly.

“But it’s so sad to see it uncared for. I just want to see it returned to its former glory. Even my neighbours are asking me ‘why hasn’t anything been done?’

“There’s a wild duck in my dressing room now that moved in about a week ago. I can’t help but laugh at the nest it’s made among the charred remains.”

Ms Dunn added she could not have got through the last few months without the support of her neighbours, who housed her before she moved into the caravan stationed in her back yard.

“I can’t express how lovely and supportive my neighbours have been. It’s been unbelievable- like having a cosy blanket around me.

“A humbling amount of people have given me love and support and I never would have got through this without them.”