Braintree: Collections for families made homeless in fire (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree: Collections for families made homeless in fire

5:30pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News

Wellwishers are digging deep to help the families whose homes were damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Hundreds of pounds has been put into a collection bucket at the Co-op in Panfield Lane, Braintree, and people are donating household items.

Twenty firefighters tackled the blaze, which left two families homeless, in Rosemary Avenue, Braintree, for three hours on August 25.

Biddy Howell, team manager at the Co-op, said: “We collected £250 in days.

“It is very close knit around here and most of the people live quite close and know people.

“People have been so willing to give, there are £5 notes.

“We like to do our bit for the community.”

Augusto Ribeiro, whose home was gutted in the fire, has thanked people for all their help and donations.

Staff at Greenfields Community Housing have collected items for the families and anyone wishing to donate can contact Lyn Lucas by emailing lyn.lucas@GreenfieldsCH.org.uk or calling 01376 535400 ext. 5654