We’re gutted
DANCE TROUPE’S DEVASTATION AFTER THEIR BUS – AND COSTUMES – ARE DESTROYED IN FIRE
THIS picture shows the devastation caused by a blaze which destroyed a dance troupe’s double-decker bus.
Children and staff at Charisma Stars in Partington, Trafford, say they have been left ‘absolutely devastated’ after the vehicle went up in flames – the day before a prestigious competition.
Costumes worth thousands of pounds were destroyed. Volunteers spent hours desperately trying to salvage outfits from the wreckage.
An online fundraising appeal was set up to transport the 70 Charisma Stars dancers to the contest in Leeds on Sunday.
The blaze happened at around 8pm on Saturday. Volunteers said they were unsure if the fire was started deliberately. The incident has been reported to GMP.
Donna Goodier, fundraising coordinator for the group, said: “Some of the costumes completely melted and a lot of them have really bad smoke damage. They are literally worth thousands of pounds and have only been worn once. The young ones are absolutely devastated. We work very hard to make sure there’s something for the girls around here and to make sure they are off the streets and not causing trouble.”
Charisma Stars, whose members train at Partington Community Centre, formed eight years ago. The group now boasts 70 dancers aged between two and 30.
Donna said the bus, which is used to transport the group and their costumes around the country, was parked off Broadway in Partington and is ‘not salvageable.’
She said: “It’s an old-style double-decker bus. The glass windows have all bubbled and the ceiling has shattered. Our bus driver has been down and he thinks it is a write-off. It will probably cost more to repair it that the bus is worth. People have been really kind and generous and we can’t thank them enough.”
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call GMP on 101, quoting log number 091045R-18, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.