A FUNDRAISER has been launched to support the families whose homes were destroyed in a fire caused by a lightning strike.

Firefighters battled the roof blaze at two houses on Mercia Avenue, Charlton in the early hours of Saturday morning (July 24), in which all occupants were thankfully evacuated safely but both homes were severely damaged.

While the crews were able to salvage some precious items from the flames, much was lost.

The local community has been rallying around those affected. Many neighbours were out on the street throughout the morning, feeling helpless as they watched the fire.

The blaze began when lightning struck the home of two sisters who have lived on the street for more than 25 years. The flames then spread to the next door home of Michael Riley, his wife Angela and 14-year-old son Ethan.

Now, the street has set up a fundraising page to support their fellow residents at a devastating time.

Tayla Moody, who lives on Mercia Avenue, told the Advertiser: “It was awful to watch it happen and not be able to do anything to help. It broke my heart.”

Tayla has set up the GoFundMe page and is inviting others to donate what they can to help buy either essentials such as new clothes, or some distraction at this difficult time, such as a trip away.

Tayla wrote: “The main concern was to get everybody out of the houses safely which has meant leaving all of their belongings in the home; I appreciate sentimental property is something they will never be able to get back.

“It has affected the whole neighbourhood and it is a truly devastating thing for someone to have to watch their home burn and not be able to do anything about it. It turns somewhere that holds so many memories into somewhere they don’t even want to think about.”

The appeal hopes to raise £5000, and you can make a donation at: https://gofund.me/bfae438a

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Ethan Riley is being supported by his boxing coach, Gordon Mitchell, from Fighting Falcons School of Martial Arts. The club has pledged to replace all of Ethan's training kit, and is raising funds to help him and his family get back on their feet.

Gordon wrote: "As most of us can appreciate, money will never replace the memories and sentimental attachments that the family will have for many of their possessions, but right now it will help towards replacing the vital day to day items such as clothing, shoes, washing kit and may other things that we take for granted."

You can donate to that appeal here: https://gofund.me/6ab83993