Wet and windy weather causes havoc

Firefighters from Staines were called to Windermere Close in Stanwell, at 4.00pm on Friday November 13 because scaffolding surrounding a house which was destroyed by fire in October was about to fall down.

Watch manager at Staines fire station Karl Bowen said: "The scaffolding was going to come down because of high winds. We just made sure that everyone else was safe because it was a dangerous structure.

"We advised residents living nearby to go and stay with relatives for the evening.
"We tried to contact the scaffolding company but couldn't get hold of them, so there was nothing we could do except assure the residents."

The house which contained the scaffolding was completely destroyed by an electrical fault blaze on October 19, causing Maria Jones, 64, to receive burns to her arms and legs.

She died six later due from injuries sustained in the fire.

Young Hannah Carter, 11, of Hill Road, Ashford was walking with a friend in a pathway between Ashford Tennis Club and Bronzefield Prison on Sunday November 15 when she saw a tree fallen into the tennis club's ground.

Her mother Carol Tripp said: "We don't know exactly when it came down but it must have been due to the heavy weather.

"The tree has been there for the last 50 years. I have lived in Ashford all my life and I remember it as a little girl. It is quite sad."

But commuters in Staines were also affected when a railway bridge in Feltham partially collapsed on Sunday November 15.

It is believed the 100-year-bridge was swept away by the swollen River Crane following the heavy rains.

As the News went to press, trains from Staines to London Waterloo were not running, and South West Trains confirmed that the line will be shut until Friday November 20.

But commuters have been told by railway staff that the delays could be longer, with trains suspended until Christmas.