£3,000 raised for Welshpool family hit by devastating fire during Storm Doris

Karl Hocking managed to get out of his house in Oldford View, in Welshpool, on Thursday night after a large fire took hold in an upstairs bedroom and he was taken to hospital suffering from breathing in smoke inhalation.

Firefighters arrived at 8.15pm to find flames shooting several feet into the sky and at its peak, five appliances and 20 firefighters were at the scene.

Shocked neighbours and friends have since been rushing to help the whole Hocking family – Sue, Mark, Nathan, 22, and Karl, 19, – to get back on their feet, following an appeal on Facebook by one of their caring relatives.

Ceri Gannon, 20, said: "I can't rebuild a home for my auntie Sue and uncle Mark but I want to help them; they have lost everything because of the fire damage and their neighbour Glyn Watkins' property has been damaged too so we want to help him too.

"We are not sure what happened but the whole of Oldford Estate had a power cut that night because of Storm Doris so Nathan and Karl were using what they could for light.

"We think Karl lit one candle in the bedroom and went to get another one but by the time he had returned, a dressing gown was alight and although he tried to control the blaze, it was too advanced and he had to get out. He was treated in hospital.

"The family are staying at Sue's sister's house until the insurance company can sort out some accommodation. We are a really big family and we are close.

"Our appeal raised more than £1,000 in just a day; the response has been very humbling.

"I've lived in Welshpool all of my life and I don't think I've seen the community gathering together like this so fast before.

"When I took Sue some of the money, she burst into tears – they haven't asked for anything but so many people are offering them donations, clothes and household items they have been really touched.

"There are 30 days left for donations."

To donate, call Ceri on 07399 562990.