Look What They Done 2

[jorgy9]

Hi Rodders

Was wondering, looking at photos, it looks like the fire started from in the garage, is it possible it has self-started by some tragically unlucky coincidence of events? As the building looks well secured and locked, I'm thinking simple kids couldn't have broken in so easily? Is it possible at all to establish from the remainings of the doors/locks whether they have been forced open? Was there any opening at the roof, any window, from where someone could have thrown a torch or something to extend his Friday night fun?

Again, I don't know what to say...I thought it was bad when they broke in our shed in full daylight to steal 2 bicycles this summer, just as we had been away for 3 hours (bastards, every move of yours is being observed!), but now....

Recently I bought a little freezer for the shed and guess what...I sneaked it in at nightime. Is this pure terror or what!!

George

ps. Note to self: remember to buy those automatic lighting-switches so that neighbours think I'm a t home when I'm on holiday

This post has been edited by jorgy9 on September 05, 2008 04:46 pm

[roddew]

Hi George, thanks for the post.
To answer a few of your points. I, too am of the mind that the fire was well under way before it was spotted outside. (neighbours are of the same opinion.)
The bfire investigation people quickly declared that it was arson. The place had been untouched for 3-4 weeks when it happened so spontanious ignition seems very remote.
A rear up and over door could hasve provided concealed entry although another forced entry would be needed first and the door was pinned at the sides as well as the top. Unfortunately it is so damaged now that assessing anything is difficult. Many photos were taken of the front l/h door by investigators, but as they haven't taken the trouble to contact me I don't know why. Only 3 steel up & over doors, no windows etc.
Lights on timers in house at the time, but power was tripped by the fire so not afterwards.

Seems that no matter what you do there's no certain way to stop it, and no way the authorities seem to take it seriously. Crime is decreasing in this area they keep saying!!!
Take care, keep safe (if that's possible) and as the saying goes "don't have nightmares" mind you don't you have to be able to sleep to have nightmares??

Rodders.

[dean]

Hi Roddew

Not been on the forum for a while and to come back and see this..................well, there arent words i could use on the forum, but heartbreaking would be one of the few i could. Really sorry for the loss you have suffered.
I have to admit one of the reasons i stay on the island is to keep away from the kind of mindless idiots who do this sort of thing but when there is no refuge, even here im off im afraid, because this country is going to the dogs and it seems not even the government is doing anything about it..............bring backt the cane in schools and stocks in the street!!!!!!!!! Lets face it, if you where to loose a hand for stealing you would make damn sure you didnt go out pinching stuff.

D

[xmexclusive]

Hi Rod

I see that there are some thoughts about odd items of salvage. There is a particular problem with burnt rubber as Phosphoric Acid is produced and this is a particularly aggressive acid that will cause permanent skin and flesh damage if handled without adequate protective gloves. This risk is mainly from rubber in the partially burnt areas.
Though it was worth the mention as it applies to any fire damage vehicle be it in a scrap yard or even an accident site.

John

[Andmcit]

As I see it though, you can't let yourself lapse into being totally neurotic or the pondlife
will have made their permanent mark. I believe this is happening throughout the country
at some level or another to everyone who's trying hard to get on with things, minding their
own business and trying to make life more interesting/enjoyable. Therein lies the problem
- the lowlife's can't cope with that and if they can't have it, so you mustn't either, whether
it's a new Porsche, an old 50's American or yes, a weird and difficult to understand Xm...

I can't cope with the general apathy, ignorance and rude selishness than seems prevelant
everywhere I go on my travels these days from those that I thought would care about getting
something done about the parlous state of the degenerating society - I guess I should give
them the benefit of the doubt by assuming they've just had their car keyed, or their garage
broken into etc etc.

Not good, not good at all! Living on an Island sounds like a perfect scenario as far as I'm
concerned.

Andrew

This post has been edited by Andmcit on September 06, 2008 10:08 am

[DoubleChevron]

Words just fail me.... Nothing has ever been touched at our place (then again there's a 40+kg rottie wondering around the yard)..... Even if you'd have big dogs, they probably would have perished in a fire such as that

seeya,
Shane L.

[DerekW]

Hi Rodders and Pat,

Reading between the lines I take it the fire didn't spread to your house, I suppose you should be thankful for small mercies.

I agree with you, I cannot understand what fuel could have generated so much heat. A car was dumped and set alight on one of the bank roads near here a few months ago. It was doused in petrol and completely burnt out, but the tyreless alloy wheels stood there unmarked. I suppose it's not only temperature but also the time applied.

My wife came from a mining village in N.Warwickshire, 57 years ago when we married, and she still has family there (New Arley). They were the salt of the earth then and she is as deeply shocked as I am at what has happened.

Derek

[colinxm]

Rodders, all I can say is sorry, It breaks MY heart to see what has happened so I can't imagine how you feel. It's the children of the idiot wastes of skin that I was in school with that are to blame for this kind of mindlessness -thick breeds thicker... the "do gooders" of the last 30 years or so with their softly softly approach should be rounded up and nailed to trees alongside these thugs, how much money does it cost to keep these sods alive in prisons and the like where they just learn to be even better thugs ? they're no use to society and never will be ! what will their kids be like ? it's a rapid, downward spiral and is going to need some drastic action to get to grips with that will upset the do-good ("they're just missunderstood") brigade.
Luckily for me this kind of thing doesn't happen here - yet...

Very best wishes, Colin.P

[Caesar]

Reading this thread, I thought I was reading about downtown Los Angeles or something, not the UK ...

[roddew]

Hi all,
please take this as an open letter expressing our thanks and appreciation to you all for the kindness, support and offers of help which have come from members here. You are a credit to the human race, all of you.
It is heartening to know that all is not lost and that there is still decency and integrity to be found in this ravaged world. We have never met any of you face to face, but would like to think of you all as our friends and to let you know how much that friendship counts right now.
Apologies for not replying personally to every message we have received, but there have been quite a few. For a local event like this to elicit responses from across the globe has been truly amazing.
It may take a while, but these scumbags are not going to beat us. We still have 2 Series I SD's to be going on with and the liking for these cars will not rest there. Already members are kindly suggesting replacements which shows the generous communal spirit behind our common love of those " quirky French cars that go up and down".

We sincerely thank you all and wish you and your XM's well,
Rod & Pat.