Urgent fundraiser set up to help victims of fire which destroyed Lancaster homes

Two houses were gutted and three others left severely damaged after a bonfire in a back garden in Sycamore Grove on the Marsh got out of control on Friday evening.

The bonfire spread to fencing and then to the houses, as well as damaging a detached garage and the fencing of other nearby homes.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up by the Marsh Community Centre Charitable Company in a bid to raise at least £5,000 to help those affected.

More than £3,000 has already been raised.

And on Facebook, the community centre is also asking for people who can donate items of clothing, furniture and kitchen appliances to those in need.

The fundraising page says: "Please help, I'm raising money to benefit families on the Marsh Estate through The Marsh Community Centre Charitable Company and any donation will help make an impact.

"Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause."

Six fire crews from Lancaster, Morecambe, Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth as well as the aerial ladder platfrom from Preston were called to Sycamore Grove at around 5.20pm on Friday amid early reports that people may have been trapped inside the properties.

However, fire chiefs said everyone managed to escape, although one person was taken to hospital for checks following smoke inhalation.

By the time firefighters arrived, both floors of one house were 'well alight' and the fire had spread to three other properties, one of which was also engulfed in flames, as well as a detached garage and 70 metres of fencing.

It took nearly four hours for the firefighters to contain the blaze and, due to the extensive damage, four of the properties were evacuated.

Two further houses were affected by smoke but residents were able to remain in their homes.

Lancaster City Council is now working with the residents of three council houses affected by the blaze.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters used two jets, four hose reels, six breathing apparatus and the aerial ladder platform to put out the fire. All persons were accounted for, however one casualty was administered to hospital for checks following smoke inhalation."

A city council spokesman said: "We would like to thank our colleagues in Lancashire Fire and Rescue who responded so quickly to the report of a fire on Friday evening.

"Fortunately nobody was injured.

"Three council owned properties have been badly damaged. The people who live in them were immediately moved to different accommodation and we continue to work with them.

"A clean-up operation started on Saturday and we will now be working on getting the houses repaired.

"The event was very distressing for the surrounding community and our staff are working to provide practical help and reassurance.

"As would be expected we are also working with Lancashire Fire and Rescue and the Police to investigate the incident and then we will take appropriate action."