Melksham community backs family after lightning strike blaze

THE Melksham community is rallying behind a family whose house was gutted in a fire after being struck by lightning.

A violent storm hit the town last week and saw the house in  Littlejohn Avenue engulfed in flames after a lightning strike hit solar panels on the roof and a blaze ripped through the roof causing severe structural damage.

The residents were away on holiday at the time so are unhurt, but sympathy has been pouring in, with many contacting the Melksham News to show their support. And now a donation fund has been set up for the family, Terry and Sylvia Cook.

Local woman Lorna Carroll has set up a community donation fund to help the family during this difficult time. She is asking the community to donate items that would be useful or make a financial contribution. She said, “I thought it was such a terrible thing to happen and I really feel for them as it must be terrible to see all your possessions go up in flames.

“I know a lot of people who were touched and feel sympathy for the family, so I thought why not set up a community donation fund. People can drop off any financial donations at the Melksham News office to ensure there is no foul play. I will be kicking off the fund with £20, and it would be great to see the community come together to show their support.”

The storm caused further problems for the town as flash floods submerged Bath Road and flooded properties in Shaw and Whitley.

Police shut several roads in the area, affecting Shaw, Whitley and Roundponds particularly. 

Trains were also disrupted and cancelled as the track was under water and lightning strikes damaged equipment between Melksham and Chippenham.

The travel delays caused frustration for many, leading to some removing ‘road closed’ signs which were put out by police. This caused further problems for the emergency services and a Wiltshire  Road Policing United officer shared his frustrations.

He said, “Can I please urge motorists not to remove our signs. It is an offence and causes major problems. It has happened a few times in Melksham and we will take action if it happens again.”

Flooding also damaged properties in surrounding villages. Cllr Terry Chivers said, “First Lane in Whitley has been hit badly. The wall at the entrance to Springfield Gardens was pushed over by the force of the water, and both walls at the entrance of Plane Tree Close have been lost. The mud on the road in First Lane couldn’t be swept away, so will have to be dug out.

“For the first time ever the shop has flooded and even the postbox was full of water. I’m told that  last night there was four feet of water in places, and homes have flooded in the area.

“Shaw School was flooded and forced to close, as was the vicarage opposite, and The Golden Fleece.”

If you would like to donate to the couple whose house was damaged by lighting, donations will be collected in the Melksham News office at 31 Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES.