When Sue Putman agreed to host a 16th birthday party at her home, the worst she expected was complaints about loud music or shouting.
What she didn't expect was a fire that destroyed her garage and burned so close to her home, the plastic door and window frames began to melt.
She said: "It was an absolute shock. I still don''t think I'm quite right. I haven't slept since. It's thrown me completely. It's never happened to me before."
Sue had agreed for her home, in Forest Road, to host the party of one of her daughter's friends , while she was babysitting her grandchildren in Crossmead, Oxhey.
With the exception of some gatecrashers who were quickly thrown out, the party went off without a hitch. Sue, 49, even called home at around 10.50pm, only to be told everything was fine.
So when Sue's daughter Rebecca, 14, and five friends went to sleep that night, they didn't expect to be woken by a huge fire yards from their bedroom window.
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Yesterday Sue said: "Luckily, one of them in the back bedroom couldn't sleep. He noticed the garage on fire about 4.30am. He noticed the flames in the back and the fire brigade were called. They were here for two hours.
"I was babysitting. By that time they had got to me and brought me back to just a gutted garage. I warned the neighbours about the party but I wasn't expecting anything like that. I want to thank them for their concern for my daughter and the children's safety and their understanding."
An old mattress and bedframe in the garage are thought to have helped the fire burn, but nothing valuable was lost in the blaze and Sue was just relieved everyone was uninjured.
She said: "The main thing is that everybody was ok.
"It could have been a lot worse. My daughter was really, really upset. She kept saying sorry but it wasn't her fault. In reality, they had done really well."
Fire investigators believe the blaze started from inside the Putman's garden, and police have confirmed they are treating the incident as arson.
Anyone with information should telephone 0845 3300222.
What is the worst thing that has ever happened at a party you have hosted? Click the comment link below to share your views.
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