A sheltered housing block which suffered from a fatal fire in September 2011 has had its re-opening delayed by three months.

Gibson Court in Manor Road North, Hinchley Wood, went up in flames after a television set caught fire and spread throughout the accommodation.

The accommodation was due to be re-opened in March, but will now not open until June due to wet weather in the summer.

The blaze on September 30, 2011, destroyed many flats in the block and killed 87-year-old grandmother Irene Cockerton.

Other residents escaped the fire, which broke out in the middle of the night, in just their slippers and nightwear, but lost their homes and possessions.

A Peverel Retirement spokeswoman said: “Residents and family members were informed last month that Gibson Court is now expected to reopen in June.

“As with all major building projects, the construction company was dependent on the hotter summer weather helping dry the internal and external structure. However, as the summer was one of the wettest ever recorded, the structure has taken longer to dry than could have been expected.

“As a result, the company has bought in industrial equipment to help dry the building as quickly as possible.

“We would like to thank residents and family members for their understanding and support and are now working with them to ensure everything is ready for reoccupation in June.”