Community rally in support after Melksham flat fire

The Melksham community has pulled together to support two families whose homes were destroyed in a fire. 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Rescue Service were called to the building, which contained an upper and lower floor flat, on the corner of Milton Avenue and Sangster Avenue in the evening on Saturday 18th April.

Following the fire, the community has donated clothing and food for the families who lost their homes and belongings.

The family who lived in the top-floor flat had moved in just five hours before the fire started. Amelia Webster, who has two children, said she was ‘absolutely devastated’ and has thanked the Melksham community for support.

She said, “We have lost everything and it has been so hard. We have been needing to move to Melksham for a while and because we had only just arrived, we had no insurance. My dad was burnt in the fire whilst trying to save my daughter. Melksham as a community has been amazing with donations.”

The family who lived in the ground-floor flat are now staying in a hotel and are ‘coming to terms’ with losing their home.

Gemma Coleman, who works at a local primary school and also has two children, said, “We’re coming to terms with our home not being as it was and how we deal with that with our children. I’ve lived here my whole life.

“I would like to thank the community for all their support. We may have lost our roof, but Melksham coming together has showed us that we have our home here.”

The blaze, which spread to the roof, prompted a large response with fire crews from Bradford-on-Avon, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Devizes in attendance and an aerial ladder platform from Swindon.

Local pub, The Grapes on Bank Street has been a dedicated donation point for any items for the families.

Gemma added, “There are so many people to thank, Becky and Lee at the Grapes, The Manor Primary School, all the people who have donated items, we are so thankful.

“We’re in a Travelodge with my one autistic daughter and my younger toddler because my family hasn’t got the extra beds. They have gone to school because we’re trying to keep it as normal as possible.

“I can’t commend the Manor Primary School enough. They have been amazing. They have bought uniforms.

Everything we need. My oldest only eats certain food because they are autistic, I’ve had parents make them lunches, it’s just been incredible.”

Gemma said any items the family do not need will be donated to a women’s shelter.

“The community are not just helping us,” said Gemma. “They are helping many other women, children, and families across the whole of Wiltshire.”