Industry News from Yes Insurance
26 June 2006 Lack of insurance costs fire victims a fortune
The perils of not having home insurance cover have been displayed after a fire ripped through a former wartime fort, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Sealand, an artificial island in the North Sea off Felixstowe, was built as a base from which to protect England from German bombers during World War Two.
It has since been used as a base for an internet firm, but a fire has left the building gutted and the owner has admitted that he does not have insurance.
The cost of the blaze is expected to reach around £100,000 with owner Michael Bates conceding that the damage is extensive.
"The generator is destroyed and three of the rooms, the generator room, the radio shed and the living room, have been completely destroyed," he told the Evening Star.
"We are starting to clean it up now. The water damage from the fire fighting is a real problem as well."
One man was injured during the blaze and had to be airlifted to hospital. The most significant damage however, is likely to be financial and Mr Bates will be kicking himself that he did not take out an insurance policy.
The future of Sealand is now looking precarious and the bill from the fire could lead to the famous landmark becoming derelict once more.
The fort was declared an independent principality in the 1960s after becoming defunct at the end of the second world war and being bought by a man named Major Roy Bates.
© Adfero Ltd
Sealand, an artificial island in the North Sea off Felixstowe, was built as a base from which to protect England from German bombers during World War Two.
It has since been used as a base for an internet firm, but a fire has left the building gutted and the owner has admitted that he does not have insurance.
The cost of the blaze is expected to reach around £100,000 with owner Michael Bates conceding that the damage is extensive.
"The generator is destroyed and three of the rooms, the generator room, the radio shed and the living room, have been completely destroyed," he told the Evening Star.
"We are starting to clean it up now. The water damage from the fire fighting is a real problem as well."
One man was injured during the blaze and had to be airlifted to hospital. The most significant damage however, is likely to be financial and Mr Bates will be kicking himself that he did not take out an insurance policy.
The future of Sealand is now looking precarious and the bill from the fire could lead to the famous landmark becoming derelict once more.
The fort was declared an independent principality in the 1960s after becoming defunct at the end of the second world war and being bought by a man named Major Roy Bates.
© Adfero Ltd
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