Victims of disaster slowly rebuilding

On a holiday to Glasgow after their Kelmscott home was destroyed by fire, Frank Duffy's sister directed him to an envelope of their late mother's belongings.

Inside, he and wife Fiona found photographs of their children growing up that they thought had been lost forever.

It was a high point in a roller-coaster year that saw the couple bounce between friends' houses and hard-to-find rental homes, face low moments of overwhelming loss and find solidarity with neighbours they barely knew.

As the anniversary of the fire neared, Mrs Duffy was focused on moving forward and planning the home they will build on the block.

Mr Duffy was also feeling positive for the first time after a "horrible year".

"It's very like a death in the family - you feel as if there is something missing," he said. "With the demolition of the house, I thought things would get better but they didn't.

"Then, with the clearing of the block, I thought it would get better but it hasn't.

"I'm looking forward to the new house being built and maybe we'll see something good then."

For the Roberts family, moving into a suburban Armadale house while their Kelmscott home is rebuilt has been traumatic.

Dennis, Barbara and son Kevin, who is paraplegic, miss the area, with its sweeping views and wildlife to feed. They feel boxed in and desperate to go home.

In the year since the fire, all suffered nightmares. Donated clothes were stolen from the washing line.

But their rented home is filled with other gifts, including countless copies of Kevin's favourite books.

The family hoped to move back to Kelmscott by September after rebuilding the house.