A tragic fire that broke out late on Friday night in the village of Oake, near Taunton, Somerset, has left two families homeless after their houses were engulfed and destroyed within minutes. The blaze originated from a neighbour’s garden and rapidly spread to nearby homes, forcing residents to evacuate quickly, some rescuing pets in the chaos.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, which saw fire crews from across Somerset and Devon respond swiftly to contain the flames. Despite their rapid efforts, two families lost almost all their possessions.
Leah Willson, 23, whose mother and two sisters escaped unharmed, recounted the harrowing experience. Having grown up in the family home for 15 years, Leah said, “The fire started in a neighbour’s garden and quickly spread to both houses. My family had to act very fast to get everyone and our pets to safety. We’ve lost almost everything.”
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In response to the disaster, Leah has launched an online GoFundMe campaign to support her family during this difficult time. Donations have poured in, raising hundreds of pounds within hours.
The community response has been equally remarkable. Neighbours evacuated as a precaution, and the local school headteacher opened the school hall to provide shelter. Witnesses praised the determination and dedication of the fire officers battling the blaze amid dry, hot conditions.
Daniel Bishop-O’Connor, an eyewitness, remarked, “The fire officers worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading further. With the dry weather, they had a tough job, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Neighbour Sharon Slade added, “Everyone evacuated safely thanks to swift action by the fire service and local emergency response teams. The community truly united in support of the families who lost their homes.”
Leah and her family continue to appreciate any support as they begin rebuilding their lives following this devastating fire.