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Thousands raised for family who lost home in fire

Eddie Mitchell A drone shot of flames and large plumes of smoke coming from a building. There are large amounts of emergency service vehicles in the road next to the building.Eddie Mitchell
Emergency services were called to the scene in Queen Street at about 22:51 GMT on Saturday

A community has been praised for its generosity after it raised more than £15k for a young family who lost their home and possessions in a fire.

A major blaze broke out in an industrial building in Queen Street, Horsham, around 23:00 GMT on Saturday.

Eight fire engines to the scene and a number of buildings were evacuated.

James Nicoll, who launched the GoFundMe page, said the family who lost everything "evacuated so quickly the children didn't even put shoes on".

Mr Nicoll said he set up the page to help the family "get back on their feet as quickly as possible".

He said the generosity of people donating was "absolutely incredible" and added: "It goes to show the local community can rally together."

Eddie Mitchell Two firefighters spraying water at a building. The building has a blue shop front and flames on the inside.Eddie Mitchell
Seven fire engines were needed to extinguish the blaze

Stephen Mann, who was also affected by the fire said his Saturday night was "an ordeal".

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "My wife thought she could smell burning and we looked out the front door and saw the bright orange flames.

"I grabbed my wife and daughter and left the property immediately."

Eddie Mitchell A drone shot of flames and large plumes of smoke coming from a building. There are large amounts of emergency service vehicles in the road next to the building.Eddie Mitchell
Flames and large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky

The heat from the fire cracked Mr Mann's double glazed windows and some of the walls inside his house.

He said he was queuing outside the letting agents before 09:00 on Monday to try and find out what was happening.

The family spent Saturday night with family and were put in a hotel for Sunday night.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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