Residents of a northwest London townhouse complex that was badly damaged by fire over the weekend are trying to put their lives back together.
Nobody was injured, but 12 people were left homeless by Saturday’s blaze at 1460 Limberlost, near Gainsborough, which damaged as many as eight units.
One London couple with a young baby is getting a helping hand from the online community in the wake of Saturday’s blaze.
Cassandra Graham, sister-in-law of victim Gary Rogers, started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for her family in the aftermath of Saturday’s fire.
“They lost almost everything in the fire,” said Graham.
Members of the London Fire Department, along with London Police and EMS, were dispatched to the scene just after 11 a.m. Saturday.
The blaze took around six hours to extinguish, and damage is pegged at approx. $1.5 million.
“We are trying to help with the immediate needs,” Graham said. “{Gary} had a lot of money in computers, textbooks and notebooks.”
As of Monday afternoon, Graham had already raised approximately $2,000 in donations.
“When people ask about the other families, I am going to tell them to donate to the Salvation Army,” Graham said.
Graham says that furniture donations are being made to help the families once they have found a new home to settle in.
“The emergency manager for city of London facilitated temporary shelter for these parties until they can arrange more permanent shelter,” Brian Mclaughlin, Deputy Fire Chief for London Fire Services, said.
Early reports indicate the blaze may have been triggered by a blown BBQ fuse.
Officials with the Salvation Army worked on Saturday to coordinate accommodations and shelter for those with no place to go.
Source: Community Rallies Around Victims Left Homeless Following London Townhouse Fire | (CFPL AM) AM 980
