A FUNDRAISING campaign to support residents affected by a devastating street fire has once again smashed its target.

A JustGiving page set up by members of the community centred around the Linton Holme Inn in Carlisle has raised £6,500 — breaking it’s £5,000 target — to support those affected by a fire that affected properties in Linton Street just after 3pm on Friday, June 18.

One anonymous donor gave £2,700.

Firefighters from Carlisle needed assistance from Longtown, Brampton, Wigton and Penrith fire stations to tackle the blaze that caused damage to multiple properties.

Paddy Mallaburn was one of the residents in Linton Street who was forced to move out of his property due to structural damage.

Although he and the other residents that have had to move out have not been told when they will be able to move back into their homes, Paddy said he was allowed to return to his house to collect some belongings.

“The first day [back to the house] was awful.

“When I went inside, I just wanted to cry. The smell was horrendous.

“It just wafted on to the street and one of my neighbours who lives across the road could smell it.

“It’s just going to be a case of waiting now.

“There’s no set day or time period when I’m going to get back in.”

Paddy, who works for the NHS and volunteers with the Scouts, is currently living with his mother until he is allowed back into his own house.

Carpet replacement and ceiling repairs are among some of the jobs that need doing to put his house right at the moment.

Paddy did say that he felt lucky no one was hurt in the blaze.

He added: “We were lucky that it [the fire] wasn’t during the night. People would have been asleep and it could have been a lot more serious.

On the progress of the fundraising campaign, Paddy said: “My jaw nearly dropped on the floor.

“I hadn’t looked at it for a while.

“It’s amazing, and it just shows you that community spirit is still there.”