Man behind restoration of fire-destroyed Windsor townhouse scoops national award

A painter and decorator has gained national recognition for his work restoring a home which burnt to the ground following a vicious blaze in 2013.

Nigel Bennett, 49, of Staines, became a Dulux Trade Master for his reconstruction work on a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in Park Street, Windsor.

The house was gutted by the town’s biggest blaze since Windsor Castle went up in flames in 1992 and was tackled by more than 80 firefighters.

The reconstruction work took more than two years to complete.

Nigel worked to replicate the exact style of the period property when restoring the home to its former glory.

He said: “This must have been one of the most challenging and high-specification jobs we have ever done.

“A challenge that took four professionals, including myself, almost a year to complete.

“I was incredibly surprised to find out that I had won. I had entered the competition with the faintest glimmer of hope, but never expected to actually win.”