Family 'overwhelmed' by donations flooding in after devastating house fire
A family who lost everything when their house burned down say they are ‘overwhelmed’ with the generosity of neighbours and friends.
The ‘shell’ of a home and two charred cars is all that remains of a family-of-five’s possessions.
But just two days on from the fire at Huntsmans Walk, in Kinver, neighbours and friends have rallied round to raise more than £1,600 for the family.
Since the incident shortly after midnight on Thursday, different organisations have started fundraising for Michelle Goodwin, aged 43, Stuart Jones, 50, and their three children, Kian, 14, Anece, 13, and Zak, nine.
More than £1,200 has been raised by Harleys Smokehouse Barbecue Restaurant, in Dunsley Road, Kinver, along with an undisclosed amount from the family’s local post office, Potter’s Cross Stores, in White Hill.
Miss Goodwin said: “We are still in shock and the children are in shock.
"It is crazy knowing that you will not be able to go back home and that everything you had is lost.
“There have been donations here, there and everywhere.
"I was too exhausted to look at Facebook but my friends have told me about the amount of people who have set up fundraising pages and given their money.
“The post office have got lots of clothes and money for us plus my son’s friend has given him clothes from JD and £200.
"I am absolutely overwhelmed.”
Due to the extent of the damage investigators have not been able to establish an exact cause at this time but the family believe it was an electrical fault in their sauna.
The house is set to be demolished this weekend and it is expected to take around two years to rebuild.
Until then, they expect to be able to move into their new accommodation next week
Fire investigation officer, Tim Hollingworth, said: “This fire was so severe it has completely devastated the house, leaving just a shell.
“Thankfully all of the residents escaped the home unscathed but all our thoughts are with them as they have lost absolutely everything.
“The investigation found that the fire began on the ground floor and quickly spread to the upper floors.
"A car and a van parked on the driveway were also destroyed."
Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harleyssmokehouse
