Thousands raised for family who lost ‘everything’ in Christmas fire

A community has rallied around a family who lost ‘everything’ in a Christmas Day fire at their house.

Nearly £5,000 has been raised and furniture and clothes sourced for the Fleet Hargate family of three after fire hit their Eastgate Gardens home.
Fire crews were called around 1.10am on December 25.

A welfare unit from the Red Cross attended the incident alongside fire crews from Holbeach, Long Sutton and Spalding.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Everyone had evacuated the property on arrival and the two adults were treated for smoke inhalation.

“The cause of the fire was believed to be a tea light candle which had been left unattended.”

On Christmas Day Fleet Hargate residents took to social media to appeal for clothes and items to help the family.

Fleet resident Eileen Gilliatt set up the appeal titled ‘Weʼre raising £5,000 to family in Fleet Hargate ..fire Christmas Day destroyed everything please help’.

And it’s raised over £4,700 through more than a hundred donations since then.

Messages from well-wishers included one donor saying: “So sorry to hear this awful news. Hope this helps to start rebuilding your lives. All good wishes for a better 2021.”

The family themselves wish to remain anonymous and declined to comment.

Mrs Gilliatt also declined to comment.

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