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19

Jun 2023

Last Updated: 19/06/2023
Community
Community

Ripon fire victim: 'We can't thank everyone enough'

by John Plummer

| 19 Jun, 2023
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Ripon residents have rallied to support those affected by a fire that ravaged three terraced houses on Friday.

Six teams of firefighters were called to Magdalens Close at 7pm to deal with a blaze believed to have been caused by a gas leak.

The fire spread to two adjoining properties and although one woman was hospitalised nobody was seriously injured.

However, none of the homes is currently fit to live in and those affected have had to find alternative accommodation.

The fire has caused major damage.



The people of Ripon pledged all kinds of support over the weekend.

Alex Ryder, whose sister was in one of the side homes affected, started a gofundme page on Saturday to raise £3,000 for the families affected.

By last night it had raised more than £3,500 — thanks in no small part to an anonymous donation of £1,800.

Mr Ryder told the Stray Ferret:

"We have no idea who it was but we can’t thank them enough."


Although Sophie's home was not as badly fire damaged as the one in the middle, smoke and water has ruined all furniture, carpets and the majority of possessions. Mr Ryder said:

"The middle house and house on the left are definitely uninhabitable at the moment and there’s a question mark over my sister's, they are awaiting advice from a structural engineer as to whether it is safe or if it needs knocking down and rebuilding,"


Firefighters tackling the blaze on Friday.



Sophie added:

"It’s been a horrific couple of days and we are still trying to process everything that’s going on.
"We can’t thank everyone enough for all the support and kind words. As soon as it started the neighbours on Magdalens Close were amazing and have been ever since, offering accommodation, food, water, anything we need.
"The gofundme page just shows how amazing everyone is and has been."