Arson attack Neighbours rally after man’s house ‘ruined’ in caravan fire
NEIGHBOURS have donated thousands of pounds after a man’s house in Bristol was badly burnt in a “traumatic” fire.
Several cars, vans and a caravan were torched in the early hours of September 5, awaking residents with the sound of shattering glass as an orange glow lit up their windows.
Avon and Somerset Police said the arson attacks along Lake Road “endangered lives”, after the caravan fire spread to the house it was parked in front of.
A neighbour previously told the Post how the man had been home at the time of the fire, but managed to escape unscathed.
Residents have since rallied to support him, and a fundraising page has been set up to help him repair the damage.
Southmead resident Sharon Hudd set up the GoFundMe the weekend before last, and more than £2,100 has been donated already.
She said the resident, named on the page as a 55-year-old man called John, was “extremely upset and worried” by what happened.
Writing on the GoFundMe, she said the house has been “ruined” and the contents have been smokedamaged.
Sharon said he is self-employed and was now struggling to work, because his van and everything inside it were destroyed in the fire.
She said: “I’ve lived in Southmead for about four years, and when I moved I was worried because the area gets a lot of bad press – it’s got a reputation.
“Really quickly after I moved, I just thought, ‘wow.’ There is such an amazing community spirit.”
She said it was this community spirit that spurred her to set up the page, even though she did not know John before reading about the fire.
Sharon added: “It’s a tragic thing to have happened, it’s horrible.
“Pretty much everything was smoke-damaged, it’s a very scary
Jim Hackford situation. That could have been my house. It must be so traumatic.”
She said the community response has been “immense”, with everyone donating what they can afford to spare.
The fire happened at about 3am, and residents have said they have no idea why their road was targeted.
A police spokesperson confirmed that no arrests have been made yet in connection with the investigation.
The force is continuing to appeal for any information, witnesses and dash cam footage that might assist them with their investigation.
Call 101, quoting reference 5220201303.
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