"Many Photos" - Mother, 32, and daughter, nine, are homeless after 'psycho' ex burned down home

Zak Rodda, 32, burned down the home when Charlene Clarke wouldn't take him back

A devastated mother says she is homeless after her 'psycho' ex left her for another woman and then burned their house down when she refused to get back with him.

Zak Rodda, 32, started the blaze in the bedroom of his ex-partner Charlene Clarke's home - before sending her a series of chilling messages.

The fire burned through four terraced homes whose occupants had to flee into the streets. One disabled woman was saved only because her carer was present when the fire started.

The properties were left burned-out shells and several of the former homeowners are still in temporary accommodation.

After lighting the fire Rodda went to the pub and told other customers: 'I've done something bad, I've set fire to a mattress and it got out of control. I tried to put it out''.

Charlene Clarke's house in Illogan near Redruth, Cornwall, which on set on fire by former boyfriend Zak Rodda

Charlene and her nine-year-old daughter Larenza are now homeless after the blaze

Rodda was sentenced to six years after admitting arson and reckless endangerment of life, at Truro Crown Court on July 19.

Charlene, a care-home manager, has now spoken out after the blaze in Illogan near Redruth, Cornwall, on May 14, 2019.

She claims her insurance company refused to payout because Rodda is the policy holder - leaving her and their young daughter, Larenza, nine, homeless.

The 33-year-old said: 'He's ruined my life. We have no home, my little girl is terrified and I've had to move back in with my mum.

'I've been off work with anxiety, I just can't quite believe that he would do this to us. Even the judge said he wished he could give him life.

'I've got such bad guilt, for my neighbours, family, and daughter.

'We're so lucky no one was seriously hurt in the fire.

'We'd been together for 15 years - it just shows you never really do know someone.'

Charlene says in March 2019 Rodda packed up and left her for another woman leaving her 'heartbroken.'

When he came crawling back to her just weeks later she stood her ground, refusing to rekindle their volatile relationship.

But Charlene claims controlling Rodda refused to leave the family home - citing his name being jointly on their mortgage.

On the night of the fire Rodda and Charlene had been at another house for a family memorial.

Drunk Rodda wanted her to leave with him but when she said no he left in anger and went back to their house and started the fire.

He then sent a series of threatening text messages to her with one saying: 'Look see the light, I warned you' and 'there she goes, goodbye' - and went to the pub.

Charlene raced back home to find the houses ablaze.

She said: 'He'd been a bit up and down for years but I never thought for one second he'd do something like this.

'When he left me for another woman I really had had enough and after 15 years I told him I was done.

The home along with sveral others in the row of terraces was left a charred ruin

Plasterboard and insulation hand from ceiling girders in the ruined property in Cornwall

The bathroom was left burned out and parts of the roof were missing after the blaze

'But after his aunt died recently he invited me to a family gathering in her memory and I wanted to support him so I went along - but only after he'd promised not to kick off or cause a scene.

'After a few hours he wanted me to leave with him but I refused telling him: 'I'm not getting back with you and I'm not leaving with you.

'He sent me some threatening texts after that and then next thing I know I'm being told my house is on fire.

'It was a really windy day so the fire spread fast, I feel so guilty for all our poor neighbours.

'A few of them didn't have home insurance so they have lost everything. It's literally unbelievable what he's done.'

Charlene added: 'I'm so grateful for all the support from my neighbours which I feel I don't deserve, and to my family for all the help I've received since the fire.

'I thought getting cheated on was the worse thing in the world but it turns out I was wrong. I can never forgive him for what he's done- it's lower than low.'

Prosecuting barrister Deni Matthews told the court how the fire devastated homes between number 47 and 53 at Bridge Road in Illogan.

Mr Matthews said: 'One of these homes belonged to Mr Rodda's former partner and he too had also been living there.

'On May 14 the family came together after a bereavement and a number of family members say that Mr Rodda had had a lot to drink.

'His former partner was also at the property and they argued. They had been estranged for a period of time and Mr Rodda left.

'The defendant set the fire, then left the property and went to the pub.

'He was heard saying to other customers 'I've done something bad, I've set fire to a mattress and it got out of control. I tried to put it out'.

Ms Clarke said the insurance company refused to pay because the policy was in Rodda's name

Roof tiles litter the soot blacked floor (left) from where the roof of the home caved in (right)

'The property is in a terrace and the fire took hold quite quickly. It was a very windy day and the fire spread, all four houses were left inhabitable and severely damaged.

'They were effectively turned to shells and damage is in excess of £100,000.'

Sentencing Rodda, Judge Simon Carr said: 'You were in a relationship that had its difficulties and you yourself accept you were a controlling influence.

'The relationship came to an end and you were at the time living in one of the homes that was eventually destroyed.

'You destroyed four homes and when you set the fire people were in them. They would have been aware and terrified.

'They all got out but one elderly, disabled woman wouldn't have if her carer wasn't there. They all stood and stared as their houses burned in front of them.

'All of the people had to be rehomed and it's not sure if the houses will be able to be rebuilt. You did all of that to show you were in control.'

Rodda was jailed for six years, of which he must serve half.

Defending Rodda at Truro Crown Court, Brian FitzHerbert noted that Rodda didn't use an accelerant, made immediate attempts to put out the fire and then summoned the emergency services himself.

Charlene said: 'I wouldn't have got through this without my amazing mum and family.

'But there are no words they can say to make it all better unfortunately.'

Charlene's best friend Danielle Dyer, 29, has now set up a Just Giving page to help her get back on her feet.

 

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News Photo Mother, 32, and daughter, nine, are homeless after 'psycho' ex burned down home
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