RESIDENTS of a Bradford care complex badly damaged by fire in June have celebrated moving back home with a fun-packed Christmas carnival.

A fierce blaze at Dove Court, Undercliffe, caused part of the roof to collapse and led to all 40 flats on the site being evacuated.

After six months in alternative accommodation, organised by Hanover Housing, which owns and manages the complex, residents were "over the moon" to be back in time for the festive period.

They showed their delight at a special homecoming party yesterday, complete with Bollywood dancers, steel drummers, and a group sing-along.

Marjorie Sutcliffe, 93, was moved to Thompson Court in Crossflatts following the fire.

"I settled in very well there, but I always wanted to come home," she said.

"This is home to me, and nowhere else could feel like it. Four and a half months is a long time to be away, but it's lovely to be back."

Patricia Biller, 72, who has been a resident at Dove Court for seven years, said she underestimated the damage caused by the blaze.

"I remember the fire alarms went off, but I thought someone had just burnt some toast," she said.

"Then I looked out and saw people in the car park waving at us and shouting fire.

"I still didn't think much about it, but when I got outside and looked at the roof, I was absolutely shocked. I realised then how serious it was.

"I was a bit naive, and thought we wouldn't be out for too long, but we've always been kept informed about how things were going.

"The building is a lot fresher and cleaner now, they've done a great job."

Although the fire, which was caused by an electrical fault, was contained by seven fire crews from across Bradford, the building suffered significant flood and water damage as the blaze was put out.

The roof was partially destroyed, the building's lift was broken, and the complex also suffered smoke damage.

During months of renovation work, a new roof was completed, all communal areas were redecorated, furniture was replaced, water drainage systems updated, and new LED lighting installed to help make the building more energy-efficient and reduce the build-up of heat in corridors.

Tom Brown, director of extra care services at Hanover Housing, said builders had done a "fantastic job" with upgrading the building, with is also Hanover's regional office for the north.

"Looking at the building on the day of the fire, it was empty, completely soulless," he said.

"You looked and thought, how long is it going to take to recover from this?

"Initially, we thought we would be out for eight or nine months, at least, so I'm pleased to be back in really good time.

"We met with the residents every week, and they are over the moon to be back.

"Our local teams have put a great deal of work in, and the support we got from the adult social care teams at Bradford Council was fantastic, we couldn't have done it without them."

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