Community rallies round after man loses everything in Crookham Common caravan fire

Firefighters from Newbury and Hungerford were called at 4.15pm yesterday (Monday) to Crookham Common caravan park, where a 40ft x 10ft static mobile home was on fire.
Watch manager of Blue Watch at Newbury Fire Station, Lee Glover, said: “”We could see a column of black smoke for five or six miles away en route."
On arrival, firefighters discovered the roof of the mobile home - constructed of wooden joists and exterior concrete render - was well alight, with flames around five feet high.
“Flames had gone up the wall and into the roof and a cupboard in the bedroom,” said Mr Glover, adding the occupant, a man, was inside the caravan at the time of the fire, but escaped unhurt.
“We rescued his cat - it was sitting in the window,” added Mr Glover.
Fir trees around 30ft high, situated next to the caravan were also alight and firefighters initially concentrated efforts on extinguishing the fire in the trees, to prevent it spreading to an estimated 40 other caravans on the site.
Firefighters then tackled the caravan fire, by stripping off the roof tiles and used two sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reels and a hydrant water supply to extinguish the blaze, which destroyed the caravan.
The blaze started in an electrical intake box situated outside the caravan, according to the fire service.
Firefighters left the scene after around two hours.
The man, left homeless, was assisted at the scene by Fire and Emergency Support Services, run by the Red Cross, who assist with clothing and finding temporary accommodation .
Next door neighbour, Julie Cooper, owner of Crookham Village Stores and also the Travellers Friend pub, confirmed the home owner had “lost everything” in the blaze.
“We’ve started a collection for the poor man,” said Mrs Cooper, adding the man affected did not have any insurance.
“All he has is what he was standing in. It’s very very sad, he is such a nice man.”
Anyone wanting to contribute to the appeal should contact Mrs Cooper at either Crookham Village Stores, telephone 01189 714392, or the Travellers Fiend pub, telephone 01189 713156.