Residents are rallying together in support after a large fire broke out yesterday destroying a local nursery and homes.
As fire crews tackled blazes across the south of England, in what has been named the hottest day in UK history, three homes and a nursery were completely destroyed in Milton Keynes.
At around 12pm yesterday (19/7), emergency services were called to a large fire in Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes. Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue say the fire started on a fence before spreading to neighbouring buildings.
A total of 39 properties were evacuated and at its peak, 15 fire engines were on the scene from across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.
Areas were set up by Milton Keynes Council, offering rest, water and support to those affected in a local pub and meeting place building.
Residents were quick to offer a wide range of support including clothes, food, drink and rooms to those who may be in need. Staff in the nursery, which is now destroyed, and nearby veterinary clinic and shops have been praised for their quick-thinking and evacuations, which meant that all children and animals were taken to safety and reunited with family.
Read more: Kind residents offer help after large fire destroys nursery and homes in Milton Keynes
Walton Community Project, has now launched a fundraiser for the victims. A spokesperson wrote: "We the Walton Community Support Project want to help support the victims; which has affected the lives of many residents, both directly through the loss of their homes, or from the fallout through loss of power resulting in freezers and fridges being inoperational on the hottest day on UK record.
"It is not only the homes of residents that have been lost, but the loss of a valued local child care facility Kiddi Caru.
"Lots of people have asked what they can do to help and we the Walton Community Support Project believe that we are perfectly positioned to collect and distribute resources to those who need them.
"Please give generously to support people living in your community."
You can make a donation through the JustGiving page here.
UPDATE 21/7 08:50AM - The target of the fundraiser has been raised to £5,000, currently, at the time of writing, £4,115 has been raised.
READ AGAIN - Large fire in Walnut Tree
