AN HISTORIC cottage that was ripped apart by fire is tantalisingly close to becoming a home to its occupant once more.

Smugglers Cottage in Sopley was destroyed after a blaze tore through its roof two-and-a-half years ago leaving Dawn Dunn, known as Dee, living in temporary accommodation on site.

She has been battling to save her 400-year-old home ever since but legal complications have meant she has found it an uphill struggle the entire way.

After legal wrangles with Allianz insurers and the scaffolding company pulling out leaving the property open to the elements, it now appears Ms Dunn has yet to be shown the light at the end of the tunnel.

She has claimed that there have been issues between the building firm and subcontractors.

However, Solstice South West Ltd declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Daily Echo.

A spokesman for Allianz confirmed that "repairs are nearly complete and discussions are ongoing to finalise the claim".

But there is no bathroom or kitchen at the property which, though now fully thatched and watertight, means Ms Dunn is still unable to move back into her home and has yet to be given a date as to when she can return.

"It is a catastrophe," she said. "It has been called the Sopley saga. I'm going to write a book about this one day. I have never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life."

The fire which tore through the 18th century cottage in February 2015 was shown to have started accidentally, investigators concluded at the time.

As horrified neighbours looked on, around 45 firefighters from Hampshire Fire and Rescue worked throughout the night to try and protect as much of the building as possible, as tonnes of thatch burned quickly.