A community bid to help those affected by Saturday’s house fire in Thamesmead has been launched after some were left homeless because of the damage.
A fire started in the back garden of a property in Marshall Path after a barbeque is thought to have set fire to a gas bottle which then exploded.
The fire destroyed the ground, first, and second floors of the neighbouring house, as well destroying the ground floor and damaging two further floors of another house. A third house was also partly damaged.
As it happened: 58 firefighters battle Thamesmead house fire
Thamesmead resident Ken Beeston said his 55-year-old mum’s house was the worst affected, which also had several other family members living inside.
Mr Beeston told News Shopper: “Mum’s house took the brunt of it, she was the one in the middle. Every floor is gone and the only thing that survived in there by a miracle was the box that my nan’s ashes were in. The TV was melted to the wall but the box was hardly touched.
Read more: At least two injured after Thamesmead fire which badly damaged 3 houses
“Thankfully my mum and auntie were over at the boot fair when it happened, my cousin and a friend were in there but my cousin heard the hiss of the gas cylinder and a big bang, they both managed to get out fortunately.
Image: Mark Malone
“They lost everything though, obviously there were a few valuables and jewellery and stuff like that, but it’s memories really – photos and things that can’t be replaced. Mum had lived in that house for more than 20 years.
“It’s a really difficult time.”
The 37-year-old added that he did not think the house was insured and for now the housing association Peabody had given his family a place to stay at the Travelodge by Yarnton Way last night and tonight, but they were now having to look for accommodation elsewhere.
But he described the community response as “overwhelming”, adding: “We have a fundraising page set up which is currently trying to raise £1,000, at the moment it’s collected just under £200, that will go towards building my mum and auntie’s life back up.
“We’ve also had the psychic Sally Cudmore get in touch and she’s going to do a live auction to help out.
“One of my friends did a live thing last night, he runs the charity organisation Five Wishes, straight away after that a woman that I’ve never met donated money straight into my mum’s bank account.
“It’s overwhelming really.”
Members of the Thamesmead Facebook group have been offering support to those affected and The Cutty Sark pub in Joyce Dawson Way is also reportedly accepting cash donations to help those affected by the fire.
Sally Cudmore, who has made many TV appearances as a psychic but also takes part in a wide range of charity work, added: "I heard what happened from a friend - it's absolutely devastating.
"I have quite a few followers due to my job and so I decided to do an online auction.
"I've got some lovely prizes together already and once I have a few more we can hold the auction as soon as possible and see how much we can raise for them."
London Fire Brigade has not released any further update today and the fire is still being investigated.
You can find the fundraising page for Mr Beeston’s family here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peter-moreland?utm_id=107
To donate any prizes to Sally Cudmore's online auction, or for further details, you can find her Facebook page here.
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