House On The Borderland
A FRIEND of a prisoner whose house burned down says he will have to rebuild his life when he's released tomorrow.Peter Wells (53) is due out of HMP Peterborough, where he is serving a seven-month sentence for possession with intent to supply 400 worth of cannabis.During the early hours of Saturday morning, Mr Wells' 19th-century cottage in Crowland Road, Eye, was gutted by a blaze. His wife Jane managed to flee the building after being woken by the couple's dog Taz, who perished in the fire.Now a friend of Mr Wells, Paul Hornsby, says further tragedy has befallen the pair. Mr Wells' mother Edna (90) died on Monday after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Mr Hornsby (44), who lives in Wittering, near Stamford, said: "Not only has he lost his house, now he has to deal with losing his mother as well. This is a tough time, but knowing how strong the couple are, I'm sure they will get through it." Mr Hornsby added that his friend is also devastated about losing his priceless vinyl collection in the fire.
Mr Wells, who runs the House On The Borderland record shop, in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, had new shelves put up in his home for his personal collection, which included all The Beatles albums, as well as rare records by the foursome.
He also lost many original Fleetwood Mac albums on the Blue Horizon label worth more 25 each, and rare vinyl by artists such as Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa. Mr Hornsby added: "I went to see Peter at the prison on Saturday. It was heartbreaking to see his tearful face when he found out about the fire. The collection meant everything to him. "I had just built a row of shelves so he could store the albums in the hall. We both share a passion for music, and he knows so much about it." Mr Hornsby added that Mrs Wells was lucky to be alive and had to jump out of the window of the burning house to escape. He added that Jane, who is in her 50s, tried to re-enter the burning house to rescue the dog who saved her life, but the flames were too strong. Taz has since been buried in the garden of the home, which will now have to be demolished. She was too upset to speak today, but Paul added: "She was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, but was thankfully released hours later. She loved Taz so much and his death has hit her hard."The fire is not being treated as suspicious, and it is believed to have started downstairs.
Mr Hornsby (44), who lives in Wittering, near Stamford, said: "Not only has he lost his house, now he has to deal with losing his mother as well. This is a tough time, but knowing how strong the couple are, I'm sure they will get through it." Mr Hornsby added that his friend is also devastated about losing his priceless vinyl collection in the fire.
Mr Wells, who runs the House On The Borderland record shop, in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, had new shelves put up in his home for his personal collection, which included all The Beatles albums, as well as rare records by the foursome.
He also lost many original Fleetwood Mac albums on the Blue Horizon label worth more 25 each, and rare vinyl by artists such as Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa. Mr Hornsby added: "I went to see Peter at the prison on Saturday. It was heartbreaking to see his tearful face when he found out about the fire. The collection meant everything to him. "I had just built a row of shelves so he could store the albums in the hall. We both share a passion for music, and he knows so much about it." Mr Hornsby added that Mrs Wells was lucky to be alive and had to jump out of the window of the burning house to escape. He added that Jane, who is in her 50s, tried to re-enter the burning house to rescue the dog who saved her life, but the flames were too strong. Taz has since been buried in the garden of the home, which will now have to be demolished. She was too upset to speak today, but Paul added: "She was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, but was thankfully released hours later. She loved Taz so much and his death has hit her hard."The fire is not being treated as suspicious, and it is believed to have started downstairs.