A Fife woman has been stripped of everything she owns after council contractors mistakenly emptied the wrong house and scrapped all her belongings.
Tegan Dickson says she has been left with nothing but the clothes she works in, after the workers took all the items from her flat in Leven during a botched clearance.
The 17-year-old apprentice engineer only moved into the flat – her first home – two weeks ago to be closer to her work.
Family and friends helped get her started by donating furniture.
But she returned to the property on Aithernie Road on Tuesday to find it was all gone, along with clothes, shoes and a bicycle.
She also lost sentimental items that had belonged to her grandad.
‘I’ve lost everything I own’
Tegan believes that Orbis Protect, the firm which is contracted to service council-owned properties, had meant to clear a nearby flat instead.
She told The Courier she’s been left devastated by the incident.
And she has been informed that none of her belongings will be returned as they have been disposed of.
“It’s a nightmare,” she said.
“I’ve lost every thing I own: designer clothes, my bike – which I use to get to work – and even family items that are irreplaceable.”
Tegan says she was getting ready for work on Tuesday when she heard men trying to enter her flat.
They did not have the right key for the property, and were informed by Tegan that they had the wrong address.
However, it is thought they later returned with the correct key – though it is unclear how they came to be in possession of it, and who instructed them to clear Tegan’s flat.
She said: “I started my my engineering apprenticeship four months ago and everyone has helped me get on my own two feet in a new flat.
I just can’t fathom how this could be allowed to happen, it’s a disgrace”
Mum Arlene Dickson
“Now I’ve lost everything and have been told it could be six or even 12 months before I can clam any reimbursement.”
Mum Arlene Dickson has described the incident as “beyond belief”.
She said: “I just can’t fathom how this could be allowed to happen, it’s a disgrace.
“Tegan has had to move back in with me in Kirkcaldy, miles away from where she works, because the flat has now been made uninhabitable.
“Council officers have helped with an emergency clothes donation but not much else – it’s a nightmare and we need answers.
“I also can’t believe how the belongings can be simply scrapped, it’s utter madness.
“The only thing that has helped us during this fiasco is the continued support of family, friends and Tegan’s employer, which has been amazing.”
Council ‘very sorry’ and promises full investigation
Fife Council has launched an investigation into the incident and has vowed to support Tegan following the ordeal.
Gavin Smith, housing service manager, said: “We’re very sorry about this.
“The wrong property was emptied.
“There are processes in place to make sure that this does not happen and we’re currently carrying out an investigation into why these weren’t followed.
We will make sure we learn from this and put measures in place to stop this happening in the future”
Fife Council
“Unfortunately, Ms Dickson’s property has now been disposed of, so cannot be returned.
“We’ve apologised to Ms Dickson and will continue to support her, including replacing the items that have been disposed of.
“Once again, I’m very sorry that this has happened.
“We will make sure we learn from this and put measures in place to stop this happening in the future.”
Brian Hamill, branch manager at Orbis Protect, said: “We are currently working with Fife Council to undertake a full investigation into this and are unable to comment further at this stage.”
