Night of Terror in County Durham
A young woman in County Durham faced a horrifying ordeal when her home was deliberately set on fire while she was asleep inside. Ellie Haigh, a 26-year-old accounts manager, was in her three-bedroom house in Newton Aycliffe on the evening of March 5 when the attack occurred.
She had gone to bed early, only to be woken an hour later by the sound of men's voices outside. Looking out, she saw a neighbour approaching her home. Rushing downstairs, she was met with a scene of chaos. "The whole street were stood there shouting at me telling me to get out the house saying it was going to blow," Ellie recalled. She then saw her living room window smashed and the interior engulfed in flames.
Aftermath of the Attack and a Broken System
The assailants had thrown a brick and a petrol bomb into the property, causing catastrophic damage. The subsequent fire and pervasive smoke resulted in over £50,000 in damages, rendering the home completely uninhabitable. Ellie believes the attack was a case of mistaken identity.
Despite a joint investigation by the police and fire service, the case was closed without any charges being brought. The insurance company has written off the contents of the house. "The kitchen wasn't on fire, but the smoke damage has ruined everything," Ellie explained. "All my clothes have to be disposed of. Carpets ripped up."
She is now facing a lengthy wait for repairs, which could take up to six months, as three independent companies must first assess the damage. The situation is particularly painful as the house holds deep sentimental value, having previously belonged to her grandmother. Ellie had spent the last year renovating the property and was about to welcome tenants.
The Council Tax Battle
In a cruel twist, Ellie is still being required to pay full council tax on the destroyed property. She claims that Durham County Council declined her request for exceptional circumstances relief, citing her salary, and also removed her 25% single-occupancy discount because the house is now empty.
The council's stance hinges on a technicality: an exemption for uninhabitable properties only applies if the roof is not watertight. Since the roof of Ellie's home remains intact, despite the interior being smoke-logged and unsafe, the council tax bill stands. "I've written to my MP; councillors and they all can't believe it," she said. "I've had an email from the police saying legally I can't live in the property as it's unsafe, but the council don't care."
This financial burden means Ellie and her partner are now paying for two mortgages and two sets of bills simultaneously. A council spokesperson expressed sympathy for Ellie's "difficult position" and confirmed they have advised her to contact the Valuation Office Agency and check if her insurance policy covers council tax liability during repairs.
