|
Kermarquer, the White Lion Press office in France, before and after the fire.
|
|
Starting in our neighbour’s house and travelling under the thatched roof the fire spread rapidly to engulf our house too. In a short time five buildings were destroyed. It was in the attics of this part of the house that all the White Lion Press books were stored. We have some of the Tiny Essentials series at our office in London, but sadly not very many. Our other titles are kept there, so supplies of those are not affected.
Luckily the main – not thatched – part of our house survived, though with some smoke and water damage. Thatched houses full of books and ancient beams burn well. More than 40 firemen and 12 trucks took most of the day to get the fire under control. It spread through to our house in minutes. Philippe, our neighbour, was cutting stones – not really a good idea, near thatch...
|
|
|
Our French house was built in 1655, and had been rather lovingly restored. The fire destroyed the striking thatched roof, all our books, our company and personal archives, files, records, letters, and many much loved treasures.
Ironically, the one part of the building that did not burn was...the wood pile. It was sheltered by some stones. The fire extinguisher also survived, with its contents intact. We have to be grateful for that. (As with so many things, Ken now identifies even more with Basil from Fawlty Towers).
|
|
The firemen had to climb onto the burning roof to cut the thatch while flames were rising beneath their feet. Some of their boots even caught fire. These are local volunteer firemen and they risked their lives to save our house. We’ll respond more generously next time they call looking for a festive donation...
It’ll be next spring at the earliest before the restoration is complete. Sadly, no thatch this time. And we will meantime be trying to find somewhere to keep supplies of WLP books – somewhere without a thatched roof, we think... |
|
|
For more details about Kermarquer for sale please click here and here.
Kermarquer has now been sold and the Burnett family has moved back to England, to lovely Suffolk. See here.
|
|
A phoenix rises
Kermarquer 14 months after the fire, restored at last though now with a fine but less than stunning slate roof, not thatch. Thank heavens for insurance, you might say. But be warned; if you think it stressful to lose your home and all your posessions, wait until you start dealing with the insurance companies.
Kermarquer has now been sold, and the Burnett family has moved back to England, to lovely Suffolk. See here.
|
|