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Destructive Cleveland Fire in Hoarders House

February 18th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about Iowa workshop helping compulsive hoarders…………

One of the most serious problems which can occur in cases of compulsive hoarding is the danger posed by fire. With such huge collections of paper, magazines, cardboard and other items, if a fire takes hold in a hoarding house the entire building can be put under threat very quickly, leading to terrible results.

Such a case recently occurred in Cleveland, and was reported on the Fox8 website. At first it looked like a normal house fire, but when the firefighters arrived to tackle the blaze they found that the property belonged to a compulsive hoarder.

The firefighters could not make good progress into the property because of the huge piles of items that they encountered throughout. Firemen need a clear passage through the building in order to reach the people who they thought were trapped, but in this case the search became too difficult and they had to give up their search.

Luckily, the inhabitant was not in and had gone out to do some shopping, so tragedy was averted.

The property was located on West 83rd Street, and the fire took hold on the second floor of the building during the afternoon.

One of the possible reasons why the fire managed to take hold was because the smoke detectors were not working properly, but at the moment it is not known what caused the fire to start.

What is known is that hoarding is a serious fire risk and that the results can be a lot worse when a fire take hold in a hoarding property. Not only is it easier for a fire to grow very quickly because of all the flammable items, but firemen are also prevented from doing their jobs properly, meaning the property, and anyone inside it, are at much greater risk.

For advice and a free quote call 0208 640 0044

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Iowa Workshop Helps People Suffering from Compulsive Hoarding

February 15th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about Iowa workshop helping compulsive hoarders…………

Times Republican recently featured a report about a workshop which is running in Marshalltown, Iowa, to help victims of compulsive hoarding. It provides people who are suffering from hoarding with the help and support which they need in order to help them to get back some control over their habit and get their lives back.

Compulsive hoarding can affect people very seriously and prevent them from living a normal life. Their homes become so filled with items and junk that they rarely let anyone else in, and they cannot live a normal lifestyle as a result.

The workshop highlighted in the article is run by Ron Palumbo who is a retired social worker, and it takes place at Iowa Valley Continuing Education.

He aims to provide the people who attend with more awareness about their condition and teaches them ways to start to get more control over it.

Hoarding still remains quite a rare condition, and Palumbo claimed that he had only seen one case of it in 30 years working as a social worker.

However, across the USA and other countries awareness is growing, partly due to programmes such as ‘Hoarders’ which actually goes into the homes of hoarders and shows what it is like to live with such a destructive habit.

Another person quoted in the article, Michelle Spohnheimer, said that she had encountered many cases of hoarding when she carried out home inspections, and that these presented dangerous situations because of the numerous safety issues.

Vermin are commonly found in hoarding properties, and other problems such as mould can become an issue. Also, there is the risk of fire which can become a problem in homes with too many items stacked up in each room, and these risks have to be taken seriously.

Workshops like this one can help people to find out more about their condition, and can hopefully help them to recover so that they do not have to live that way. Many people who suffer from compulsive hoarding need help and often cannot do it alone, so this workshop will hopefully be very useful for many people living in the area.

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Firefighters Struggle with Blaze in House Affected by Hoarding

February 13th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about a man who narrowly escaped death from fire in his hoarded house…………

Hoarding poses a number of risks in properties, but one of the most serious of these is that posed by fire.

When too many items are kept hoarded inside a property, this can increase the risk of a fire taking hold, and then if this does occur the firefighters can find it more difficult to put out the blaze because they are unable to enter the building.

This was recently the case in a severe house fire which occurred in Tempe, Arizona, as reported by AZCentral.com. The firefighters arrived to deal with the fire, but were unable to do so effectively because it was filled with too many items.

The firefighters confirmed that piles of newspapers and other junk reached up to the ceilings, impeding their progress and making it impossible to do their job effectively.

A 47-year-old man lived in the property, and when the fire broke out he managed to escape, so at least no one was hurt in the incident.

However, the property could not be saved because the firefighters could not put out the blaze effectively, and as a result it was destroyed.

Compulsive hoarding is very serious for a number of reasons, but the risk of fire is one of the biggest safety issues involved.

Hoarding poses a risk not only to the hoarder and residents of the building, but to the neighbours and to the emergency crews who arrive to deal with the blaze.

The case has led to further calls for more regulation so that the risk of fire posed by hoarding can be reduced across America.

For confidential advice call 0208 640 0044

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Latest News – Gruesome Discovery Made in Hoarding Case

February 13th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about the hoarding of a body in Florida…………

A woman has been found to be hoarding the dead body of her mother for 17 years in a case that has shocked America.

Hoarders are known for storing away quite strange objects, most of which consist of items that many people would consider to be no more than junk.

But this case has revealed the extreme nature of some types of compulsive hoarding, and the facts really are quite shocking.

The case was reported in the news recently, and focused on the story of Bobbie Barnett Hancock who lived in Florida. A hoarder for many years, it turned out that no one really knew the full extent of her condition until the body of her mother, Ann Bunch, was found in a storage unit in Clearwater in Florida recently.

Ms Bunch was 95 when she died back in 1994, and plans were initially made to bury her in Alabama. However, due to a lack of funds, the body was not transported and the funeral did not take place.

Instead, it now appears that Ms Hancock stored the body of her mother away in a storage unit, and no one ever knew about it until she could not afford the unit any longer and it was opened so that the items could be sold at auction.

It was only then that the gruesome discovery came to light.

Despite the shocking nature of the case, Ms Hancock is unlikely to face charges for storing the body away. It has been confirmed that she suffers from compulsive hoarding, and her husband said that she had a serious habit and that this was surely partly responsible for her actions.

It even turns out that her home was deemed uninhabitable back in 2010 due to her severe hoarding.

Now that the discovery has ben made, Ms Bunch is set to receive a proper funeral, and will either be cremated or buried shortly.

For confidential advice call 0208 640 0044

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Canada Hoarding Case Blamed for Fire – OCD News

February 13th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about a fire caused by a hoarder in Toronto…………

When it comes to cases of compulsive hoarding in London, residents should be aware of the risks of fire that it can lead to.

There was a recent reminder of these risks in the news recently as a hoarder in Toronto, Canada, is now being blamed for a fire which broke out in a department in September 2010 and led to 17 people being injured and over 1,000 forced from their homes.

Following an investigation into the fire, a man living in the apartment in which the blaze erupted is being accused of hoarding a large collection of newspapers and paperwork in his old apartment which was partly responsible for the fire.

However, he did not actually start the fire. Instead, it was caused by a single cigarette butt which he claimed was flicked onto his balcony.

But the blame has been placed on the fact that he was hoarding huge amounts of materials, and he agrees that the large quantity of paper should not have been accumulated to such levels in his apartment.

A statement from the Fire Marshal highlighted the danger of hoarding and encouraged people to report it if they become aware of a case. Now two landlord groups in the area want guidance on how to deal with hoarders, and the fire department is encouraging landlords to spot potential problems early on to minimise the risk of fires.

Compulsive hoarding is a serious condition, and the risk of fire is one of the ways that it can affect many people other than the actual sufferer, as was the case in this situation.

This incident took place in Canada, but hoarding is a big problem in the UK as well. People are affected by hoarding in all over the UK, and whenever it occurs the risk of fire is increased, especially when large amounts of paper are collected.

For confidential advice call 0208 640 0044

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Card Hoarding House Clearance in Highgate – London Clearance News

February 8th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about a house clearance in Highgate with hundreds of greetings cards in the loft…………

After taking instructions from a client, for a house clearance in Highgate N6, who had lost a family member due to bereavement, we arrived at the London property to carry out what we thought was a normal London house clearance. The property was tidy and very well organised, having four large bedrooms, two reception rooms and a double garage. The kitchen was also large with well stocked cupboards, along with a utility area that had an abundance of cupboards packed full of general hardware, cleaning materials and gardening equipment.

The owner was clearly, very well organised, tidy and liked to pay a particular attention to detail, but I noticed that most items were stored in collections. By that, I mean several of the same things, reminding me somewhat of my own home in an amusing way. We commenced the house clearance quite soon after arrival, starting with the garage, so as to create a storage space for any items to be retained by our client along with things for recycling. We quickly cleared our way through the attached utility room to the kitchen saving a respectable amount of effects for re use during the process and much to the satisfaction of the customer. We then cleared the reception rooms of larger furniture and an upright piano which we subsequently donated to a small church in vicinity.

What’s in the Loft?
It was 1 pm before we began to clear the upstairs rooms of furniture and effects and by 3 pm I decided to take a look into the loft. I found the light switch easily and immediately saw a well packed attic space with boxes neatly stacked from floor to ceiling, probably in excess of 100 boxes in all. The first box I opened was heavy and packed full of greetings cards, in fact it turned out that all of the boxes contained used greetings cards. The boxes were so heavy it was a wonder that the ceiling had not collapsed. We finished clearing the boxes by 7 pm that evening hoovered the house from top to bottom, locked the house and waited for our client and returning him the house keys, we then made our way home. A rewarding job and a very satisfied customer, who was happy with the outcome and pleased to be able to make his way back home to northern England the same day.

This is one of dozens of London house clearances that our company has completed. In fact, Surrey is one of our busiest areas for probate valuations and house clearances. If you live in anywhere within the London area and you have need of a house clearance quote, don’t hesitate to contact us on 0208 640 0044

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OCD News – New Group Set Up to Help Hoarders in Scotland

February 8th, 2012

The House Clearance London Company bring you the latest news on “hoarders”

Many people who suffer from compulsive hoarding often feel quite alone and that they are the only ones who have the condition.

Sometimes they may feel scared to talk about their habit with someone, or they may not know where to go to find help.

But now Martina Papmeyer, a psychologist in Scotland, has launched a new support group for compulsive hoarders and anyone who is affected by the condition, to provide the necessary support that they need.

The group is called the Compulsive Hoarding Action Group Edinburgh (CHAnGE), and it is the first such group in Scotland according to a report in STV. It will run every month and is a place where people can go to get help.

As well as launching the group, Papmeyer provided a number of tips for hoarders to help them to get some control over their collecting habits, and these include:

  • Make an appointment with your GP who may be able to refer you to a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy session.
  • Start to clean out your home slowly, without spending too much time on it and trying to do everything at once.
  • Make sure you relax during the process.
  • Try to make quick decisions on items and avoid putting them to one side to be dealt with later.
  • Donate some of the items to charities as this can help to make you feel like you are doing a good thing and that your items are not being discarded completely.

These tips can all help, according to Papmeyer, but it is also important to find a support group that you can visit regularly to get the ongoing help that you need. Another good option if this is not possible is to find an online forum such as Help for Hoarders where you may also be able to find help and support.

For confidential advice call 0208 640 0044

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Choosing The Right Company For House Clearance in Staines

February 7th, 2012

The House Clearance London company talk about choosing the right firm for a Staines house clearance…….

There are many companies to choose from when you need a house clearance in staines, but how do you choose the most suitable one. It’s very easy to choose the wrong one and this could make the experience a lot worse. Here are three of the most common mistakes which you should try to avoid when it comes to choosing a Staines house clearance company.

1. Not choosing a company with experience  This is the biggest mistake of all. House clearance is a specialist field and it’s not something that just anyone can do. It takes a firm with plenty of experience to get the job done right, and this is especially true for jobs involving valuable objects, large properties and compulsive hoarding where extra skills are required. If you want your property and belongings to be looked after properly during the clearance then the right level of experience is a must.
2. Paying for the cheapest service you can find. This is one of the worst things that you can do. By basing your decision on price alone there is no guarantee that the company you use is going to provide you with the best experience. There are many factors involved in house clearances, including the type of job, the size of the property, any special circumstances, the professionalism of the clearance workers, the environmental credentials which they have and their level of experience. By only choosing the companies which offer the cheapest service you won’t be doing yourself any favours.
3. Failing to check testimonials. The easiest way to see if a Staines house clearance firm is worth using is to check the quality of their testimonials. An established firm with a good reputation will have numerous testimonials from satisfied customers to share with you, and this will give you a clear picture of whether it is a company you can trust or not. Avoid these mistakes when choosing your house clearance specialist. Don’t make the above mistakes when looking for a company for your house clearance. Staines residents should always try to find the best clearance firm for the job, so look for a company with experience, which can offer a fair price for the service and which comes with good testimonials. If you want to find out more about our Staines house clearance service contact Jeffrey Avery and Associates.

For more information telephone 0208 640 0044

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Fire Leads to Discovery of Animal Hoarding Home

February 6th, 2012

The House Clearance London Company bring you the latest news on “hoarders”

One of the dangers of compulsive hoarding in London is the increased risk of fire. The accumulation of huge amounts of items and materials can pose a serious risk, as well as making the job of firemen more dangerous when they arrive to put out a blaze.

However, a recent case in Elmwood Park, Illinois, was slightly different in that the fire led to the discovery of a suspected case of animal hoarding.

Animal hoarding does not usually increase the risk of fire because it does not generally involve the built up of items to the same level as is common with other compulsive hoarders.

However, in this case it does not seem like the hoarding was the actual cause of the fire.

But whatever the cause, when fire rescue workers turned up they discovered that the property was swarming with animals, and they called in the police who arrested the occupants.

The animal and rabies control service was also contacted, and it arrived to take away the 21 cats and 22 dogs found on the property.

The property was then declared unsafe to be lived in, and a sticker was stuck onto the front door to warn anyone from going inside.

The police chief in charge of the operation has confirmed that they took two people into custody and that they may be charged with animal cruelty.

This seems to be yet another tragic case of animal hoarding where both the animals and the hoarders are in fact the victims. Although it may seem like cruelty, on many occasions the hoarders actually believe that they are doing a good thing and cannot see the harm they are causing to the animals, which makes cases like this so tragic.

We clear houses and properties affected by compulsive hoarding in London and the City. If you have a house that needs clearing then just let us know and we will sort it out for you. Call in the experts and get it done properly!

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Dog Hoarding Case One of the Worst on Record

February 5th, 2012

The House Clearance London Company bring you the latest news on compulsive hoarding………..

Compulsive hoarding can sometimes be taken to extremes, and one such extreme is when the hoarding focuses on animals. Animal hoarding is particularly unpleasant because often the animals involved end up living in very bad conditions and can suffer terribly as a result.

Animal hoarding has become a subject which is talked about more over recent years as some TV documentaries have appeared which reveal the reality of the condition for viewers.

However, despite the fact that more people are now aware of it, cases of animal hoarding still have the ability to shock.

One recent case which was very shocking involved a dog hoarding situation in Westchester Township which is located near to Chesterton in America.

The case came to light when neighbours alerted police about a suspected animal hoarder because they were worried that their water was being affected by the animals.

Police obtained a warrant for the property, and when they entered they described it as one of the worst cases of animal hoarding that they had encountered.

There were a large number of dogs living in the house, many of which were in a very bad condition. The dogs were drinking contaminated water, attacking each other, and many were affected by fleas and other conditions.

In total, 82 dogs have now been removed from the property, a process which was made more difficult because a lot of the dogs were scared and ended up biting the people trying to remove them.

The owner may now face animal cruelty charges, but she insisted that she looked after all of the dogs and treated them well. However, she also accepted that she had too many in her home.

Animal hoarding often evokes powerful emotions because people think that the hoarder is being cruel to the animals on purpose. However, this is a mental condition and often the hoarder is just as much the victim. They often do not realise the harm they are causing and just cannot bear to be without the animals.

Although the fate of the dogs is not yet known, it is hoped that they will be able to recover and find new homes in less crowded conditions.

For confidential advice call 0208 640 0044

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