Crewe family 'overwhelmed' by support following massive fire

They live directly next door to the old printworks which caught fire last Friday

Author: Adam SmithPublished 13th Aug 2024
Last updated 13th Aug 2024

A family made homeless after a huge fire in Crewe say they couldn't have got through the last few days without their 'incredible' community.

Michelle Rogers-Rock lives with her husband Dean James and 4 children next door to the old printworks which caught fire last Friday.

"We were just trying to keep it together for the children" she told us.

"We were just expecting the dog not to be there anymore. We were thinking of all our items in the house. We've got two children that we lost and all their things are in there, their first outfits. It's hard."

Work is continuing throughout the area, after residents were forced to leave their homes when the fire started.

Dozens of firefighters from across the region have been tackling the blaze on Catherine Street, which first started on Friday afternoon.

At its height, the fire could be seen for miles around.

Michelle said: "It's hard and the kids are just missing their stuff, they just want to be home. But it's been overwhelming to see people come together for strangers. The little things really do make a huge difference."

A community coming together

"So many charities, helping so so much." said Michelle.

"The community - even people that we don't know have put Go Fund Me pages up, donated clothes, everything that they possibly could, because we've got to throw away everything material in the house.

"The kids are just missing their stuff and we just want to be home, but we're all here and that's the main thing."

Three more people have been arrested in connection with the fire.

The arrests come as police confirm a 12-year-old boy, arrested in connection with the incident, has been bailed pending further enquiries.

In an update, Cheshire Police said: "A 19-year-old man from Sandbach, 18-year-old man from Crewe and a 19-year-old man from no fixed address were arrested last night (11 August) on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remain in custody helping police with their enquiries.

"The 12-year-old boy has been released on bail pending further enquiries."

Cheshire East council is warning people not to sweep or vacuum debris in the area, as this could cause airborne dust.

They are also advising anyone who has breathing difficulties, as a result of the smoke, to contact 111.

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