Community News pages 50-55 Residents lose homes and bakery closed by ‘severe fire’ A young family and a pensioner lost their homes and belongings, and Chanters Bakery business was put out of action following a fire in a flat in South Molton on July 19th. Dozens of firefighters from crews across North and Mid Devon were drafted in to help
Photo by Karolina Andreasova
the South Molton team tackle the ferocious blaze, which saw town centre roads closed to traffic for several hours. “A huge thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart,” said the mother who escaped from the fire, who asked not to be named. “Words fail me to describe how grateful we are to the amazing fire crews.” “If not for the community support, we wouldn’t be able to cope, so thank you. We are so glad no one got badly hurt and our thoughts are with the Chanters Bakery team too,” she added. A fire service spokesman said, “The flat was severely damaged by fire and the bakery damaged by fire and water. The cause of the fire was confirmed as accidental.” One person was treated for injuries at the scene before being taken to hospital for checks. The fire, which it reported to have started in a microwave, also spread to the loft of a neighbourting flat. Crews finally left the scene at 5am, 12 hours after the fire started. Chanters Bakery began an urgent search to find new premises to work from so they could resume baking again. A Crowdfunder appeal has been set up to help the family get on their feet again: crowdfunder.co.uk/newstart-after-a-housefire
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