A Burnham-On-Sea family whose home was severely damaged by a huge blaze on Monday (July 8th) have thanked well-wishers for their support.
As first reported here, ten homes were evacuated in Quantock Close when fire crews were called to tackle the huge blaze shortly after 12.30am which left two homes gutted.
An electrical fault with a fridge freezer in an outbuilding is believed to have started the fire, which quickly spread to the terrace of homes.
Resident Peter Massey had just got home from work when he spotted the fire and woke the family before moving his disabled mother from the home. She was treated for smoke inhalation by amabulance crews, but there were no other injuries.
Resident Simon Izard, pictured above with Peter, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The support from the local community has been superb – people we’ve never met before have been offering us help. They have been giving us teas, clothing and other items to help which has been just fantastic.”
A second home next door which was understood not to be occupied was also damaged in the blaze.
Simon, right, added: “We are so fortunate that my brother came home late from work and spotted the fire before it had taken hold.”
“He raised the alarm and managed to carry out my nan from the house who is disabled and in her 60s.”
“Four people were in the house at the time and it could have been far more serious.”
He added: “Many of our possessions from the upstairs rooms have been lost – we’ve salvaged just 12 bags of things at the moment so it will take a long time to get over this.”
Two fire engines from Burnham were initially sent at 12.38am amid reports of the fire in an outbuilding. By 1am the fire had spread to the roof area of the terrace and police evacuated ten properties as a precaution.
By 1.15am, further fire engines from Bridgwater, Street and the aerial ladder platform from Taunton were sent to the scene after it was confirmed the fire was affecting two homes. The incident was not fully completed until 6.15am.
Crews confirmed that the blaze had been started accidentally by an electrical fault in a fridge freezer.
Simon inspecting the timbers of the roof after Monday’s fire
The roof and upstairs rooms are a mangled mess after the blaze
A nearby resident took this photo of the smoke and fire on Monday
