Norwich family's chimney crumbling in Tillett Road, NR3

Danny Watts, his fiance Lisa Durant and their two young children were given a fright in the middle of the night at their Tillett Road home during the weekend of the King's coronation.

Danny, a support worker, said: “The bang was so loud it woke many of our neighbours up. 

the incident also caused severe damage to the roof (Image: Danny Watts)

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“It was followed by the sound of falling debris.” 

The following morning it was clear that the chimney stack had been badly damaged, with neighbours believing it was due to a lightning strike.  

The couple have been scared that the chimney would fall in at any moment (Image: Danny Watts)

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The 33-year-old continued: “It has caused extensive damage to the guttering, external pipes, roof tiles, felt lining in the roof and half the chimney stack is destroyed.” 

Days after the incident there was still debris falling from the roof. 

Danny added: “We were scared sitting in a house where the chimney stack could fall in at any moment.  

Debris are still falling from the roof (Image: Danny Watts)

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“Our insurers put us up in a hotel for one night, but we live with two young children, and it felt like a very dangerous situation.” 

Following the incident, the city council responded quickly and put barriers up outside the home to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

However, the family are facing a £5,000 repair bill and Danny has been told he will have to reimburse the city council for the barriers being used as well.

Danny is most concerned for his young children being in the dangerous home (Image: Danny Watts)

He has paid to have scaffolding put up this week to protect the public further, but with the constant threat of it falling, the family are constantly on edge.

Their woes have not been helped by insurance provider Nationwide refusing to pay out.

The barriers are stopping people from getting too close to the home (Image: Denise Bradley)

A Nationwide spokeswoman said: “While we sympathise with their situation, our inspection of the property found that the chimney collapse was caused by wear and tear, which isn’t covered by home insurance policies across the market.” 

The city council did not respond to a request for comment.

A barrier in Tillett Road is steering pedestrians clear of the danger in Tillett Road (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

The couple paid to have scaffolding put up in the hope of protecting pedestrians (Image: Denise Bradley)