Published
July 28, 2022 at 6:00 am
A house that was gutted by fire and put up for sale was sold for scraps of coal and black stuff.
The fire broke out at 137a Southtown Road, Great Yarmouth, on Sunday May 8, leaving only the tenant’s clothes standing there.
Fire destroyed ‘uninhabitable’ house sold at auction
– Credit: Liz Coates
The two-bedroom house, attached to the rear of another house fronting Southtown Road, was among the lots offered for sale at auction on Wednesday July 27 with Auction House East Anglia.
Bidding started at 35,000 and rose in increments of 1,000 to reach £42,000 as two bidders battled it out.
The cabinet, which had been melted by the flames, was still hanging in the blackened bath of the fire-ravaged house in Southtown Road, which was sold.
– Credit: Liz Coates
The gavel was nearly reduced to £43,000 when one fell through – then a new bidder entered.
The limit eventually reached £50,000 – midway between the £40,000 to £60,000 guide price.
Entrance to house on South Town Street via Waveney Road.
– Credit: Liz Coates
The property is advertised as “Sale As Viewed” and is suitable for a builder or investor. The proximity to the new third river crossing was described by the auctioneer, who said it was “definitely uninhabitable” and needed a lot of work, including crucially the front door.
The house in Southtown Road was gutted by fire but has now found a buyer willing to restore it.
– Credit: Liz Coates
Five people signed up to bid on the house.
