Father 'humbled' by support after flat burns down

A father who lost all his possessions when his flat was destroyed in a fire says he is "overwhelmed" by the support he has received.

Stephen Corbett lived above the West Essex Golf Club, Waltham Abbey, which caught alight on Monday afternoon.

Club member Jack Cornhill rallied to help by setting up a fundraising initiative to help him and his 18-year-old daughter, who lived with him.

Corbett said: "The support has been overwhelming. I can't believe it – I am truly humbled."

Cornhill, from Buckhurst Hill, said he had raised more than £19,000 by Thursday morning.

"He deserves all the support he has got. It restores your faith in humanity how everyone has pulled together to help Stephen – it's fantastic," he said.

In response, Corbett said his phone "hadn't stopped" with people offering their support.

"I can't comprehend the money at the moment – but the support has been beautiful," he said.

"I can't wait to give him [Cornhill] a hug, when I see him."

He said he "didn't even have a toothbrush or a pair of socks on Monday night" after the fire was eventually put out.

About 60 firefighters had fought the blaze.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said everyone had been accounted for and nobody was injured.

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