THE ‘OVERWHELMING’ generosity of Rugbeians is helping a family of four who lost everything when their house was devastated by a fire get back on their feet.
A mum and her three young children were rushed to hospital with burns in the early hours of Thursday November 15 following the blaze at their Wentworth Road home – which police are treating as suspicious.
A five-year-old boy was in a critical condition, while an eight-year-old girl and ten-year-old boy were treated for smoke inhalation and burns.
But with the ground floor of their house reduced to ashes – along with all their possessions – the community has rallied to donate everything from money and furniture to books and toys.
The ground floor of the home in Wentworth Road was reduced to ashes – along with all the family’s possessions. 48.018.001.rug.jm1.
And staff and volunteers at the Benn Partnership Centre, which has been collecting donations from family, friends and strangers alike, say the response has been amazing.
Sonia Johns from the Railway Terrace centre said: “The family are just absolutely overwhelmed with all the help that they’re getting, and how the community has come together.
“We spent about five hours sorting all the items out into boxes and labelling them. We’ve had X-Boxes, clothes, shoes, toys, a fridge, a smart TV box, a wardrobe, a microwave, a kettle, a toaster, – it’s heartening to see how the community has come together.”
“It’s such a tragedy that has has happened to this family, who are now going to have to start from scratch. The fact that the community has been able to rally around and do something to help them – it’s just been amazing.
“We can’t thank people enough.”
A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and has been bailed until December while enquiries continue.
Det Ins Paul Thompson said: “We’re continuing to work with colleagues at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue to establish the cause of the fire, which we are treating as suspicious.
“We’re continuing to appeal for anyone who has any information that could help us with our enquiries to get in touch. We’d especially like to hear from anyone who any CCTV, dash cam footage or mobile phone footage of the incident.
“I’d like to thank the local community for the assistance they gave to the injured women and children while emergency services were on route and for the support they have shown to investigators.”
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Benn Partnership Centre is asking for household items such as cleaning equipment – and is asking people to keep hold of larger furniture for the time being, until they can get in touch with family members and find out what is still needed.
Anyone who could spare warehouse, lock-up or storage space is asked to contact the centre on 01788 553033 and ask for Sonia Johns or Rob Higgs.
