A Chesham family whose house was almost burnt to the ground in a devastating house fire this week are said to be “incredibly touched” after a community fund-raising effort collected over 6,000 pounds.

Firefighters rushed to the blaze on Lowndes Avenue at around 10:18am on Tuesday, confirming shortly after that no one was hurt during the incident.

The fire, which is believed the fire started in the roof of the two storey home, left the property as “a shell” according to a resident.

Bucks Free Press:

In less than 48 hours, an online donations page set up by Ley Hill resident Eleanor Garth had reached £6,135 and had attracted further offers of help.

Ms Garth said: “It was obvious that the house was going to be destroyed and I knew something had to be done quickly.

“All the toys, photos and memories in the house have gone. Now this family have nothing - it’s very sad.

“Initially I hoped we might reach 500, but I never thought we would get this much – it is amazing. Some people have been giving one hundred pounds which is incredible.

Bucks Free Press:

“I have been in contact with the family and at the moment they are so shell shocked that they can’t think further forward than the next day.

“But they were gobsmacked and incredibly touched with the fund raising.

“It is thanks to all the incredible people who have put their hand in their pocket to help someone that most of them do not know.

“Chesham is like that. It is quite a close-knit community in terms of fund raising – maybe there is something in the water.”

Ms Garth confirmed a variety of physical donations have also been made from clothes to games consoles, as well as offers of help from builders, landscapers and decorators for when the family move back in.

The victims – a family with three boys aged eight, 15 and 18 – have temporarily relocated to another property in the town. The middle child celebrates his fifteenth birthday today and Ms Garth added: “We have even had a birthday cake dropped off and lots of presents have also been bought and donated.”

The town’s mayor Peter Hudson took to Twitter to express his sadness at the news and thank the community for their response.

Mr Hudson said: “Awful news about the house fire in Lowndes Ave today. Thank you to all Chesham people who have offered help so quickly.”

To donate to the appeal visit https://www.gofundme.com/7rzvnec4. Donations can be made in person at Chesham Town Hall.