THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for families who lost their homes in a devastating fire in Crayford.
Four terraced houses were left damaged after a fire broke out in the row of homes in Crayford Way on August 8.
Victoria Morton, 29, who lives nearby, witnessed the moment the families lost their belongings as the blaze ripped through the houses.
She then decided to set up a GoFundMe campaign to give a helping hand to the families – as the cause of the fire is investigated by police.
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Victoria told the News Shopper: “I rushed outside and saw the houses were on fire.
“We’re a small community, and I know an elderly couple that lives in one of the houses.
“It was an absolute horror to see them lose everything that they’ve worked for over the years.
“Absolutely heart-breaking.”
Victoria said she and the neighbours were left in disbelief as they were witnessing the incident.
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled the blaze.
The first floors and roofs of the houses were destroyed and half of the ground floors of the homes were also left damaged.
The cause of the fire is now being investigated by London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police.
Victoria explained: "We were just in disbelief that this was happening on the road we live in.
"Nobody knew how to act, or what to do.
"It went very quiet, as we watched the firefighters tackle the fire."
The GoFundMe page has currently raised more than £4,300 with an aim to reach £10,000.
Victoria has also set up a donation point outside her house to collect clothing and household items for the families in need.
Victoria said: “It’s heart-warming to see the community getting together at a time of hardship.
“We want to help the people that have lost everything.
“There were kids in those homes that have been affected by the fire."
Victoria explained it will be “amazing” to reach the £10,000 goal and believes that it is achievable by the community.
She has also contacted a storage unit in Crayford to store larger items such as beds and cupboards that are being donated by people.
Victoria added: “If something like this terrible was to happen to me, I would like to think the community would get together and support me and my family.
“It’s times like this we need to be together.
“And as a community I know this is achievable and help the families get back on their feet.”
The brigade's 999 control officers took 10 calls to the blaze and the fire was brought under control just before 7.50pm.
No injuries were reported.
Fire crews from Plumstead, Deptford, Eltham, Lee Green, and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a fire on Crayford Way in Crayford.
"The fire started in an area of grassland and spread to an adjacent row of houses.
"Half of the ground floors of four terraced houses were damaged by fire and the first floors and the roofs of the properties were destroyed by the blaze.
"A number of people left the buildings before the Brigade arrived.
"Crews cooled and removed two gas cylinders as a precaution as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.
"The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 10 calls to the blaze.
"The Brigade was called at 1724 and the fire was under control by 1949.
"Fire crews from Plumstead, Deptford, Eltham, Lee Green and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
"The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service."
We have asked the Metropolitan Police for more information.
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