Ripon woman "overwhelmed" after community rally following house fire

Thousands of pounds has been raised for a Ripon woman whose house has been badly damaged in a fire.

The blaze starts on Saturday. Phillipa Oats tells us she discovered the fire after returning home from a walk: "I dashed to the garage door, but as I pulled the garage door to open it, it came off in my hands so I knew it was really bad. By that stage the black was all over the place and I could hardly breath."

The fire started in the garage but there is smoke and water damage to 90% of the house. Phillipa says as soon as it happened her neighbours stepped in to help: "People were incredible, literally within seconds they were sitting with us and being kind and bringing us drinks, it made a huge difference."

Phillipa admits she had let her house insurance lapse so says the support she had had from the community had been invaluable: "It's so heartening you know, when something dreadful happens, you find yourself looking at the other side of it, and thinking I didn't know people so desperately wanted to help. People are lovely aren't they?".

A crowdfunding page has also been set up to help with repairs. It's been set up by Rebecca Bingham. On the page she explains: 'A lovely lady known well in our community unfortunately had a house fire. The fire we believe started from an appliance in the garage. Unfortunately this lady now has no home as the fire has damaged 90% of the house, fire damage luckily is the garage and utility area. The rest of the house is smoke/water damage. The house is not habitable even if cleaned. Unfortunately there is no insurance. We are appealing for any generosity that can help in any way as most of this family's belongings have perished or are unable to be restored.

I know this is a lot to ask but I know communities always pull together in times of need. If you can offer a donation of any amount the family would be very grateful.'

So far £3,500 has been raised.

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