A family who narrowly escaped with their lives after their home went up in flames have been dealt a second blow after burglars broke into the damaged house and stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
Four teenagers had to scramble through a bathroom window to escape a devastating blaze which completely destroyed their home in Chinchilla Road, Southend, a fortnight ago.
Although most of their belongings were burned or smoke-damaged in the blaze, the family - who are still staying with friends - locked up the house while awaiting insurance details and repair work.
Some time between Monday and Friday last week, however, heartless thieves broke in and stole what little was left of the family's belongings, leaving the back door damaged.
They took a sandwich toaster, a mountain bike, fishing gear, a tool box and a box of mugs, worth a total of £830.
A Southend police spokesman said: "This was a heartless act. This family have already been through enough in the last couple of weeks and did not need someone stealing what little they had left."
Anyone with information should call police on 01702 431212.
Published Tuesday, January 21, 2003
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