A couple who found themselves homeless after their flat was damaged by a fire, destroying all their belongings, have criticised a council for its response to their tragic circumstances.

Kay Tucker watched in horror as her bedsit in Gloucester Road, Leyton went up in flames as she walked back from the shop on the afternoon of Monday, July 30.

The 46-year-old had been living in the privately-rented property with husband Zain, 37, for two years.

After a few nights sleeping on friends’ couches, Mrs Tucker headed to Waltham Forest Council and was given emergency accommodation on a night-by-night basis.

Last week she and her husband, who are both benefits claimants, were offered a room in a share house in Plaistow but refused it, saying there was no way they could live there.

“I don’t like the way we are being treated by the council – it’s like a fire doesn’t matter to them,” she said.

“The room was disgusting. It was dirty and the windows were not secure and there was a lady who walked around with nothing but a towel – it was distressing.

“I felt like I would be isolated from all my friends in Waltham Forest so I went back to the council to appeal against it.”

Mrs Tucker, who suffers from mental health issues, said she has been having nightmares since she witnessed the blaze.

As well as clothes and furniture, the couple lost irreplaceable items passed down to them from their parents who have passed away.

She said: “It was horrible because I lost everything I owned. I was left only with the clothes I was wearing.

“My husband had memories of his dad who had died two months earlier and he lost them all. I also lost my mother’s ring. It was sentimental.

“I saw the flames going up. Just as I was coming up outside it, one of the window blew out onto the alleyway.

“I’ve not been able to sleep since it happened because every time I do, I can see the flames bursting out of the window.

“That night I stood on the street all night – I had nowhere to go and didn’t sleep.”

Cllr Louise Mitchell, cabinet member for housing, said Waltham Forest Council “regrets” that it is unable to guarantee accommodation in applicants’ preferred locations.

She added: “We recognise the difficult circumstances that have caused Mrs Tucker to require housing assistance, and we sympathise.

“However, we have found no evidence to support claims that the accommodation offered was unsuitable.

“After it was refused, the property was offered to another applicant who immediately accepted and has raised no concerns.

“Dependent on the outcome of her homelessness application, Mrs Tucker would receive another offer of accommodation.”