A fundraiser to support the businesses affected by a major fire in Pateley Bridge last weekend has been set up.

Reverend Elizabeth Sewell, who assists Reverend Darryl Hall in the Upper Nidderdale parish, is hoping to raise £10,000 to help two businesses that were forced to close following the blaze on King Street.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service yesterday said the cause of the fire, which happened just after 10pm on September 14, is believed to be accidental.

It engulfed the King Street Workshop building, which houses various artists and makers, as well as a residential property.

The blaze, which broke through the roof of the building and left one person in hospital, took several hours and multiple fire crews to extinguish. 

As a result, Fiona Mazza Ceramics and Moxon and Simm Jewellery are closed until further notice.

Reverend Sewell urged the community to turn their attention to those who have “lost their businesses, and so their livelihoods”.

“We don’t know their exact needs, but we are certain there will be plenty”, she adds. 

The GoFundMe has already generated £255 after less than 24 hours.

All the money raised will be put towards helping the artists in this “sad situation”, the page says.

The Stray Ferret contacted Reverend Sewell for more information but we did not receive a response at the time of publication. 

Second fundraiser

Another fundraise was also set up to raise money for the resident affected by the fire.

The GoFundMe page has already raised £1,780 – exceeding its £1,000 target.

The page says the money would go towards new clothes, shoes and “everything he needs as he has absolutely nothing left”.

All the man’s memories and treasures are gone, the page adds.