Newport boy, 14, won't be reimbursed after iPhone lost in blaze

Newport boy, 14, won't be reimbursed after iPhone lost in blaze

A 14-year-old boy named Dion lost approximately £900 worth of personal items in a fire at his school, Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed in Newport, but the local council has confirmed that he will not receive any reimbursement. The fire, which occurred in July in a temporary sports hall, destroyed or damaged several pupils’ belongings. Dion had left a bag containing valuable items, including an iPhone 16, football boots, and Apple AirPods, inside the building when the blaze broke out.

Carley James, Dion’s mother, expressed her strong disappointment with the council and school, describing their refusal to replace the items as “disgusting.” She insists that the policy should be reviewed to better support families affected by such incidents. The council responded by stating that personal property is excluded from their insurance coverage and that schools are prohibited from making payments for losses of this nature. Instead, Ms. James was advised to seek compensation through her home insurance.

Faced with this situation, Ms. James, who herself works in another school, explained the complications involved with making an insurance claim. She highlighted concerns about the increased premiums she would face despite the loss not occurring at home. Due to financial constraints, she has even had to borrow money from her 96-year-old grandfather to purchase a replacement phone for Dion. The destroyed belongings included not only the iPhone and AirPods but also football boots worth £80, house keys, a lunch box, and the bag itself.

Ms. James emphasized how distressing this has been for her son, who had only owned the phone for three months after receiving it as a birthday present. She also pointed out that the phone is essential for Dion as he helps care for his younger brother, making the loss particularly significant. The council and school reiterated their position that they cannot cover damaged personal items and advised parents not to bring valuable possessions to school unless they are insured. They extended their sympathies to those affected by the incident but maintained that compensation claims must be directed to private insurance providers

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