I lost one home to a war. Now I face losing another to cladding scandal...

Syrian refugee fears huge repair bill

- JOHN SIDDLE

A REFUGEE who saw his home destroyed by bombs in wartorn Syria now fears losing his flat in Britain – over the cladding scandal.

Bassel Deeb is among thousands facing ruinous bills to repair fire safety defects uncovered in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

He said: “I lost my home and my life savings in Syria but I didn’t think it would ever happen in the UK.”

Bassel, 36, moved here after fleeing Damascus in 2012 with just a backpack. He saved £15,000 for a deposit towards a 25% stake of a one-bed flat in a shared ownership scheme.

But now he fears getting a huge bill to replace flammable cladding and timber balconies at the block in Forest Gate, East London. If he can’t pay he may lose the flat and declare himself bankrupt.

Selling is a no-go as mortgages are on hold until the repairs are done.

Bassel, who works for a tech company, said: “One thing I loved and appreciated about this country is the rule of law. As long as you do what you’re expected to do, you have rights and are protected.