Fire service treating blaze which saw four people trapped in Gloucester as accidental
They managed to escape the building on Penhill Road before fire crews arrived during the incident on Saturday evening (17 June)
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
The 'close family friend' of a family devastated after an accidental fire in Gloucester over the weekend - something their friend has described as an 'explosion'.
Four people were rushed to hospital following the incident - after being trapped inside the burning flat at Chatcombe House on Penhill Road on Saturday evening.
They’d all escaped by the time fire crews got to the scene, with three engines called out to the incident.
In a statement, Gloucester Fire and Rescue told us: "We were called around 5pm on Saurday to a fire at a residential property at Chatcombe House on Penhill Road, Gloucester.
"Four people were trapped inside the property (a top floor flat, on the third floor) at the time we were called.
"The individuals had escaped the flat by the time crews arrived.
"We sent three appliances - one from Gloucester, one from Cheltenham and an officer. We used one hose reel and two breathing apparatus.
"All four people were taken to hospital for treatment. We left the site around 7.15pm. The fire is being treated as accidental."
A fundraising page has now been set up to help the family recover.
In a statement on GoFundMe, Rachel Marshall writes: "I am a close family friend I have set up this page to help Samantha Duke and her children with any costs they have incurred following a explosion in their home.
"There are two children who now have no home and no clothes or toys, parents who have lost all memories of items that were in the property.
"Mum is currently in hospital receiving treatment for life changing injuries that will have a nine month or more recovery.
"Anything no matter how small with help this family get back on their feet and start creating new happy memories."
You can find out more about their GoFundMe appeal here.