Should I claim off neighbour's insurance after a fire?

For me, it was my neighbour using a gas weed burner stick thing, near a planter. And the flames or heat crept underneath or between the flags somehow and the wooden planter caught fire. It's unclear in exactly what order everything went up as he burnt the weeds and then went out for the afternoon, but it was basically the bag of coal for the BBQ that went up, the astroturf caught fire, the rattan patio furniture and then wicker seats on the metal chairs and then the hedge caught fire. Luckily the gas canister for the BBQ didn't explode, but the plastic coating and base was melted. Without thinking I dragged it away to stop it exploding never thinking of the risk, and then rolled it in the wet grass to cool it down.

Accidents do happen.

I've just watched the Tiktok - that looks very frightening and so close to houses. The neighbour is insane.

One of the commenters on the Tiktok expressed an opinion that it was clear from the fire that it had an accelerant used in it.

I would have thought that the fire service would know from experience whether this was right or not.

If he used an accelerant, it maybe he should be prosecuted for arson. You want to see if experts can express a view on this. I'd speak to an expert swiftly if the insurers or fire brigade or police aren't on it. I expect that forensic analysis of the ashes would show whether petrol etc had been used.

Thinking about it

Firstly you need to push for this so it doesnt happen again

Secondly if you can I suggest adding welding to the list of prohibited activities

Finally make it apply to mum as well so they are all in the frame if a fire is lit

Under the metropolitan fires act of 1777 a household is responsible for the "escape" of fire. Your neighbours will be fully liable for the damage caused. If they have house insurance, it should be covered for them as part of the liability cover that decent policies give.

I would contact a solicitor personally and get them to draft a letter informing the neighbours that they are liable for the damage, that they should speak to their insurance company asap as you intend to pursue the matter. Then I would tot up the cost of replacing everything, including as mature a conifer as you can find, add extra for planting by a professional and make a claim in the small claims court. You can do that yourself online as long as it doesn't exceed £25k...I pretty sure his insurance company will come running

Thats what you need then

@FireAdvice hope I can get the sofa covers back on 🤣🙈

good luck with that!! it took me 2.5 hours to get a cover back onto one cushions!!! knackered!!

then I read if you wrap it one way in plastic, it slides in easier, then you just pull the plastic out!!

Well they have a record of call outs and what happened for starters

I am not sure what their statutory powers are but clearly they can give the details of what happened and their concerns

Perhaps start a new thread about additional costs that you need to be aware of.

My friend had a gorgeous wardrobe of clothes.
Dry cleaning of 1k couldn't remove the small, despite their best efforts.

Don't waste your time, just add in all soft furnishings to be replaced.

Fire service can’t do anything. What do you expect them to do?

I understand your hesitation.
However, could you do a consultation with them?
My friend was stunned with all the additional stuff they added.

I have no connection whatsoever to one, but I absolutely wouldn't hesitate if it was me.

Are you pricing in the clean up and removal of all the mess?

The digging and planting of a new hedge?

Could you at least ask a loss assessor for a consult to see is it worth your while.

My friend paid 10k for his services, but she said he paid for himself with his professionalism and knowledge.

He made it painless.
Its worth a phonecall.

Glad to hear that he's apologised OP, how did that happen, did he come round to your house specifically to say sorry, or did he speak to you in the garden? Serves him right if he was scared, it was a reckless thing to be doing, after we've had so much dry weather.

I was well known in our area at one time, for my garden bonfires, as we bought a house with a very large garden which had been neglected for years, so there was always heaps of garden rubbish to be disposed of. However, I would NEVER light a fire, until I'd checked to see if anyone had washing out, and I'd attached the garden hose, ready to go the moment anything went wrong, which is just simple common sense!

I really hope you manage to get this sorted out, without it costing you too much money. Good luck!

That is horrendous OP.
I really think you need to employ a loss adjuster to represent you.

You will never get that smell out so don't waste your time.

My friend had an electrical fire in her house years ago. The experienced, recommended loss adjuster on her behalf got her a fully renovated house and a complete new wardrobe.
Worth every penny of his percentage.

Don't negotiate alone.
Get someone who will get you the best deal.
I wouldn't believe your neighbour.
That was malicious.

He just didn't expect it to be so serious and he did get a fright no doubt.
But he likely caused it.

If this does happen your neighbour needs to pay for it.

OK, so he's apologised.

Is he going to pay for the damage?

Because apologising is free.

Replacing your stuff isn't.

When our neighbour caused a fire which spread to our fence and garden building, we thought that our insurers would claim off theirs (as it was their fault after all) but they didn’t.

We simply claimed on ours, paid the excess and had double the premium the next time we renewed!

A cautionary tale

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/somerset-garden-blaze-quickly-escalates-10213346

A Google search suggests that this sort of incident is common

Its light on detail but its why you need to get The Authorities to take action against your neighbour