Community rallies to help family as arson attack ruins home
A community has rallied around to help a family after an arson attack gutted their Stafford home.
The blaze in Surrey Road in the Highfields area of Stafford on Friday night was started deliberately on a fence which spread to a house.
It was one of three arson attacks in three days in Highfields, each of which has caused major damage but no serious injuries.
The family of two adults and four children who were inside the house when the fire started managed to escape, but are now having to live elsewhere due to the fire and smoke damage inside.
One of the children suffers from autism and the house had a special sensory room installed, which has also been ruined by smoke damage.
Residents are now raising money for the family and are asking for donations to help them get back on their feet.
Community comes together
And several community groups have come forward to help, offering items such as food and the loan of a van while the family is living in temporary accommodation.
Steve Glover is organising the community groups on behalf of the family and asked anyone with potential donations to contact him on 07793 891029.
He said: "I got a call from a councillor last weekend telling me what happened and I gave my number to the family and I have been helping them since then.
"I was told they were inside the house when the fire started, and the dog started barking and they then saw the fire.
"They all got out ok.
"The fire engulfed the back door and the side of the house, it's all smoke damaged inside.
"Stafford and Rural Homes have found them temporary accommodation, will be repairing the house and the Rising Brook Church will be providing them with some furniture.
"A couple of local companies have offered to help too, from a van hire to boxes to remove items from the house.
"House of Bread have also offered to provide food and hopefully volunteers will help to clear the house. It's a community effort, we're all pulling together.
"People in the community have started donating bits and bobs. There were loads of nappies in the house and they were all damaged by the smoke."
Money can be donated via a JustGiving page set up Donna Hewison here.
Spate of attacks
The worst of the three arson attacks happened in Silkmore Lane in Highfields at around 10pm on Thursday, when arsonists started a fire in a hedge which spread to a house.
Meanwhile on Saturday fire crews were called to a blaze involving hedging, fencing and conifers in Meadow Road/Virginia Avenue at 10.50pm.
Staffordshire Police have said that names of suspects have been passed onto officers after the two fires.
The post on social media said: "Following the Fire on Silkmore Lane and another on Surrey Road, we are now starting to receive useful information including names.
"Please keep it coming. These are both very serious incidents which without luck and the excellent work of fire and rescue, could have resulted in injury or worse.
"Please keep the information coming in. With your help we will catch those responsible and take them off the streets.
"Any names mentioned will be treated as suspects, so please do not tag anybody in or mention anybody who you do not believe to be involved."
Anyone with information which may help police should call 101 or email Darren.burney@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously through Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
