The Burnt House

There's this house around the corner from me that was gutted by fire a couple of years ago. It's been behind security fence ever since, until Monday. Early that morning I walk past with the dog (resplendent in her patchwork coat) and the security fence has gone. I am excited by this, I've long wanted to photograph this house. I have this fascination with ruined and abandoned buildings, you see.

I thought, "Right, I'm going to take photos there today, before the fence goes back up or the house is demolished". The Old Laundry was boarded up and made inaccessible before I could finish photographing it.

So, I trespassed, in broad daylight, and took photos. I may have to go back tomorrow to capture more detail, now that I've looked at those photos. I didn't actually go inside the house, it's looks pretty precarious (you can't tell from the street, the serious damage is inside and at the back).

It was frightening to see the damage to timber structure (I live in a timber-framed house). I think, soon, the roof would have fallen in on the back half of the house.

See what you think:

 

Exploded window at the side of the house.

 

From the back doorway.

 
 

Back of the house. Where the fire started, obvious even to the untrained eye.

 
 
 
 
Inside. I took these photos through the exploded window, by holding the camera up and clicking away (I have cropped the photos - I'm not that good!). The house was half renovated and carcases of kitchen cupboards, dishwasher, stove and fridge are in there, and all sorts of other paraphernalia...coathangers, shoes, mattresses, kid's plastic play equipment in the shed. Probably left untouched for insurance investigations.

The doorway photos inspire me to paint. I still have "Old Laundry" paintings partially finished. And several of the "Scrapyard Series" paintings unfinished as well. Sigh.

Now, there's another obviously unlived-in house on one of my dog wall routes. Hmm, time to carry the camera.

Comments

[Stompergirl]

Far out. What a mess. Good on you for seizing the day with the camera. I'm still - years later - kicking myself for never photographing the old tram depot near us before they knocked it down.

[Anna Walker]

I think you need to explore the possibility of compiling a book of all these images...I would pre-order a copy right now, I love spooky, old, tragic looking houses too...Working titles: If the walls could talk OR Home Sweet Home...

[Lara]

Like you ladies I love old abandoned buildings too. About 4 years ago I discovered there are loads of other folk out there who also like nosing around in bulidings that were long since vacated. And guess what? We have a name! We are 'Urban Explorers'!

Google it or have a look at http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/ (its predominantly a UK site but probably one of the best Urbex sites on the net) Some of the pictures will blow you away!