A COMMUNITY has rallied behind those affected by a devastating fire that ripped through several properties.

At least three homes were severely damaged, and houses on either side were also affected when the fire struck Linton Street in Carlisle on Friday afternoon.

Appliances from Carlisle East and Carlisle West, were mobilised just after 3pm and one former resident of the street said his ‘heart dropped’ when he saw what had happened.

After discovering that the fire was spreading along the roof void of the long terrace of houses, additional support, from Longtown, Brampton, Wigton and Penrith fire stations, was called in.

During the incident, 16 breathing apparatus wearers attacked the fire from below, whilst Carlisle East’s aerial ladder platform was used to create fire breaks above, preventing the fire spreading to other properties.

Now, a fundraising page, to help the residents affected, has already smashed through its initial target, raising over £1,000 since Saturday.

The GoFundMe page was set up by members of the community centred on the nearby Linton Holme Inn.

Former Linton Street resident John Caits, who helped set up the fundraising page, said members of the community were quick off the mark to try and help those affected by the fire.

“I walked around the corner and there were fire engines everywhere,” said John.

“Your heart just drops out of your mouth and you think ‘wow, what is going on here?’.

“This was before I realised whose houses they were.

“It was a tragic and unfortunate event.”

On the fundraiser, John added: “I was very confident that we would hit our [initial] target, but I didn’t realise that it would jump up so fast.

“It’s been amazing to see how much it has sky-rocketed.”

With assistance from the resilience unit, Cumbria Police made arrangements for Greystone Community Centre to be open for any welfare for staff and residence after the fire. 

Speaking about those affected by the fire, he added: “These are the people that would help anybody during their time of need and now it’s their time of need.

“That’s why it’s also so important for us to help them.”

Landlord of the Linton Holme Inn on Lindisfarne Street, Dave Gartside, said it had been “surreal”.

He said: “It was hard to see people in shock like that, because they had all come in here [the pub] at one time or another.

"It’s shocking when it’s people you know.”

The target of the fundraiser has been extended to £2,000.

To donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.