Fire victims supported by community fundraiser

Musicians, traders, food and drink operators, and a "tight-knit community" have joined forces to raise funds for those affected by the Stourbridge fire last Thursday.

The event was held on Saturday at Old Halesonians Rugby Club in Hagley, with organiser, Chloe Fogg, saying the idea had come from "a place of just wanting to help".

"I also think the community needs a boost," she said, adding: "We need something positive to come out of the back of it."

It comes after 19 properties across five streets were destroyed in the blaze, which broke out in Stourbridge and multiple other areas across the West Midlands, on the hottest day of the year so far.

Another 18 houses in the town were damaged.

More than 100 firefighters fought to tackle the flames as they spread over more than 500 acres.

Fogg said Saturday's event had been a chance to "get everyone together for a positive cause" and to "raise some money for those people affected".

An online fundraising page for the event has already collected more than £1,000.

Hayley James and Lynne Bate were two of the people attending the fundraiser.

James said: "We've always been a close-knit community in Stourbridge.

"Everybody seems to know everybody, and I think in light of this, you've seen that amplified."

Bate added: "It happened very close to where we live, it hasn't directly affected us but we know people it has done. It's just heartbreaking.

"It's not just the bricks and mortar, it's the memories, it's everything, isn't it?

"You just don't want to put yourself in that position - it's terrible."

Fellow attendee, Joanne Benson, said: "It was just awful hearing the news, seeing so many homes destroyed by the fires.

"It's affected so many people and we just wanted to come and do our little part.

"Whatever we can do, every little counts."

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