East Dorset family inches from tragedy after tree crashes through roof of their house (From Thisisdorset)

East Dorset family inches from tragedy after tree crashes through roof of their house

10:15am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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A FAMILY has spoken of their miraculous escape after waking to the noise of a giant tree crashing through the roof of their house.

Paul and Annemarie Fachiri, and their children Tom, 20, and Annabel, 16, were asleep when the 50ft oak tree fell on their ancient cobb cottage on Friday.

Mr Fachiri, 55, a carpenter – who had just finished 16 years of renovation work on the 400-year-old former National Trust property near Wimborne – said his children were nearly killed.

“If the tree had come down a further six inches one way, my daughter would have been crushed. If it had come down six inches the other way, Tom would have been crushed. It’s a miracle,” Mr Fachiri said.

The family were in their beds when the tree fell down at about 7.30am. Both parents had taken a day off work for an ECG test on Mr Fachiri’s heart.

Mrs Fachiri, 44, a marine upholsterer, said her first thought had been for the safety of her children, who sleep in rooms at the front of the cottage, beneath the tree.

“I heard a wooshing sound and a bang. The whole house shook.

“I thought a lorry had hit it. I panicked, because the children’s bedrooms are on that side,” said Mrs Fachiri.

Daughter Annabel, 16, said she often slept in the lounge on windy nights because of her family’s concerns about the tree, which belongs to a neighbouring landowner.

“I heard breaking branches and the whole house shook.

“I shouted for mum and dad and they were shouting for me.

“My hands were shaking. I’m still in shock,” said Miss Fachiri.

The family faces an anxious wait for the report of their insurance assessor, who will visit the property on Monday.