Incredible transformation of town burnt to ground by wildfires - but facing fresh threat

Nearly a year after wildfires left villagers terrified for their lives, these aerial images show the green shoots of recovery.

But there are fears it could happen all over again, with residents accusing the council of failing to take precautions that would prevent another inferno.

Around 100 firefighters battled the blaze which reduced 19 homes to ashes, scorched the earth and left burned-out wrecks of cars in Wennington, East London.

Builder Lee Steward, 51, is so traumatised by the blaze that he is desperately trying to sell his home.

He said: “I was one of the first to spot the fire and I was running down the street trying to help. It was horrifying, there was nothing anyone could do.

Greenery can now be seen around church and homes (left) - while (right) is charred land in same area after huge inferno (Dean / SplashNews.com)

“Even now they haven’t rebuilt the homes destroyed. And they promised us firebreaks in the fields but that hasn’t happened. I’ve tried to sell – I don’t want to be here any more, but the sales keep collapsing. I feel trapped.”

Mum-of-one Charlotte Hammond, 34, a teacher, said: “I was at home with my son and the flames were right up to the back garden. We were evacuated and watched it all on the TV.

Houses ablaze in the village after wildfires took hold last year (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

“I couldn’t go home for six-and-a-half months, it was so stressful. Now we’re just living in fear. They say lightning doesn’t strike twice but I don’t know.

“The council haven’t cut the fields and they haven’t put a firebreak in.”

Last year’s fire on July 20 is thought to have started in a compost heap before it tore through nearly 100 acres. It came as temperatures soared to 40.3C, the country’s hottest day on record.

Many cars were left as burnt-out shells after the inferno last year (Jonathan Buckmaster)

Heartbroken homeowners told how they had fled their properties and watched helplessly as all their possessions were lost.

Cllr Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: “The field behind the village is privately-owned land. The Council and London Fire Brigade are working with the owner who has agreed to cut the grass and install a firebreak.

“However, this work can only begin once the land has been cleared of rubbish. Lastly, we are still waiting for the official report from LFB into the cause of the fire, so it’s difficult to agree other specific prevention actions, without knowing how the fire started and spread.”