A COMMUNITY has rallied together after a ‘dreadful’ fire which left a family with young children without a home.

Around 30 firefighters were called to a home in King George Road on Thursday last week, working through the night to contain a blaze affecting two properties.

The occupants of the homes were evacuated and road closures were put in place after fire crews were called to the scene just before 9pm and stayed until around 3am, according to eyewitnesses.

Fire services attended the scene the following morning to check the house and board up the windows.

The household and their children were not allowed to go back inside and are believed to be currently staying with other family while neighbours are looking after their two cats.

No-one was injured in the fire.

Outpourings of sympathy and support have come from neighbours and friends of the family, whose home was severely damaged by the fire, who are hoping to support the family in their hour of need.

Family friend Charlotte Wooltorton has set up a gofundme page and aims to raise £500.

She said: “Last Thursday one of my dearest, best friends had a house fire.

“She has four children and they have lost everything - all their clothes, their belongings and they have to stay with a family member while their house is being fixed, if it can be fixed at all.

“Please, please help me get to my goal of £500 to give this family a start.”

A statement from Hampshire Police, which were called to the scene at 9.23pm, said: “The fire is being treated as arson.

“We have now completed our enquiries and having reviewed the circumstances and evidence available, we have decided that no further action will be taken.

“We do not consider it in the public interest to take further action.”

One neighbour, who is also a friend of the family but did not wish to be named, is also hoping to set up a way of helping her friends replace all that they have lost.

The morning after the the fire, the King George Road resident said: “It was dreadful, the worst thing I have seen in my life. I was at work and I got a call to come back home.

“I have never seen so many people down one street, everyone was trying to help, everyone questioning, ‘what going on’, ‘what is happening?’

“It’s very shocking, I feel for the family I want the best for them and to get what they need.

“I’m just glad everyone’s safe.”

To donate to Charlotte’s gofundme page she has set up in aid of the family, visit gofundme.com/btbquh-emergency-house-fire.