Family who 'lived in fear' for three years lose everything in 'arson attack'
A family who lost everything in a house fire that also claimed the life of their neighbour have spoken out about living in fear for three years due to crime and antisocial behaviour on their street.
Inas Himedan, 33, her husband Yousef Khaled and their two young children were left with nothing but their pyjamas after the blaze forced them to jump from their second-floor flat in Huddersfield. The fire is being treated as suspected arson by West Yorkshire Police.
Inas described the attack as the "final straw". Since moving into their home, they say they've had their doorstep urinated on, cars damaged, objects thrown at their window and have been threatened. The family have been "living in fear" for the past three years and have been waiting to be moved by Kirklees Council. A new house was reserved for them, but work needed to be done before they could move in.
Then the devastating fire happened, leaving Inas feeling let down by the authorities. The family moved to Hillhouse Close in Fartown in 2020 with their two daughters, now aged three and four. Inas told Examiner Live: "The antisocial behaviour started as soon as we moved into the property so it's been going on for three years now.
"We have prostitutes that live (nearby), they will bring people in and out of the property. There are clear drug dealings going on right outside our doorstep. There are kids smoking weed, at one point there was someone with a machete on them. We've had issues since we the day we moved in. The tenant below us was moved out. It's been worse than ever, there was constant fights, blood all over the walls, we've had assaults on our doorstep, we've had urination and defecation in front of our doorstep.
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"There has been constant banging and noise at all hours of the day and night, we literally, hardly slept. At the time, I was studying, I was at university and it really affected me. I ended up failing one of my exams because I was literally exhausted. I wasn't focusing because I wasn't sleeping, it made me really depressed. I've been on anti-depressants for quite some time because of it all. It's had a really bad affect on all of us."
Inas Himedan, along with her husband Yousef Khaled and their two young children, have been left with nothing but their pyjamas (No credit)Inas added: "It's awful, none of us can sleep properly. My autistic child has probably had the worst of it because she has sensory sensitivities and her routine has been disrupted. She struggled with the loud noise, it got to the point where she would cry because it all got too much for her. It's so unfair. We've had the threats as well, which have been particularly awful."
"It got to the point where we couldn't go out but then when my autistic child doesn't go out, she will self harm. She will throw herself against doors and walls. It's very distressing, it's been endless and it's been very difficult, we've been living in fear." The family have been working closely with their daughter's school Spring Grove Junior, Infant and Nursery, which has been a huge support in helping the family get back on their feet.
SENDco teacher Miss Parker-Sharp said: "As soon as we became aware of the antisocial behaviour and impact this was having on the family, leaders at the school were able to provide written evidence of this and liaised with external professionals supporting the child, who did the same."
"The SENDco (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator) then attended several meetings with local authority housing to provide the voice of the child to find a way forward for the family. In terms of the fire, we were made aware of the horrific incident within the half term holiday and quickly responded - providing emotional support."
The school has been amazing, helping the family with lots of support. They even set up a GoFundMe page to help. You can give money to help the family here. Miss Parker-Sharp said: "The school community pulled together and provided a wide range of support to the family. We take our responsibility of caring for our families very seriously and always do what we can to help."
Before the fire, the family was set to move to another council house in Huddersfield to get away from bad behaviour around them. Inas shared that her car, a black Fiat Punto, was taken on the same night as the fire. Yousef's car, which he uses for his job delivering food, got damaged too.
The family are currently staying in emergency council accommodation. Inas feels her family they have been failed. She said: "I feel we've been let down by the council, we should never have been in this position. It's a miracle we are still here, we shouldn't even be alive, it should never have gotten to this point in the first place.
"My children are three and four years old, they are vulnerable, they should never have been witness to any of this. I've begged, I've cried and I've pleaded, there's been no consideration for how we feel at all.
"For three years we've been told we are not a priority to them because we have a house - how can you say this situation is not a priority? Even my housing officer told me this area is not safe for people with kids, they know the area is dangerous yet they do nothing about it. I want them to take responsibility for what they have done, we could have lost our lives. I keep being told I'm lucky, my kids could have been ashes, I don't feel so lucky."
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A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: "We take tenant and community safety seriously and any claims of antisocial behaviour are investigated thoroughly. Our team has worked with the tenant to find a suitable management let that is currently having work done in preparation."
"We will always work with partners and tenants to find a resolution to any complaints that have been made and encourage residents to contact the police if in immediate danger."
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