A GARDENING charity in Dawlish which was forced to close for a day following a small fire has thanked its supporters and well-wishers.
Dawlish Gardens Trust in Port Road had announced it had to shut due to ‘unforseen circumstances’.
The trust, which provides training, vocational experiences and support for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, confirmed there had been a small fire which broke out in the charity’s woodwork room.
Now back up and running, trust organisers have thanked everyone for their support.
A spokesman said: ‘We want to extend a heartfelt thank you for all your kind words, support, and concern for the trust, our clients, and our staff.
‘As many of you may know, we experienced a small fire in our woodwork room on Tuesday evening.
‘Thankfully, it was quickly contained, no one was hurt, and none of our animals were affected.’
The fire had been contained in the woodwork area.
Fiona Gibson, general manager Dawlish Gardens Trust, said: ‘The trust experienced a fire which thanks to the prompt action of neighbours and the Fire Brigade was quickly contained to a small area of the site.
‘No personnel were on site at the time and no livestock was involved. The cause is not considered to be suspicious.’
Fire crews were seen at the premises and there were reports of thick smoke seen in the area.
The trust helps people with learning disabilities, hidden impairments and sensory impairments train and gain vocational experience and employment.
Dawlish Gardens Trust is a charity which provides vocational training for people with additional needs, sensory, and hidden impairments.
The trust started as a small charity based at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish, working with adults with a learning disability whose role it was to maintain the gardens.
In 2003 the charity moved to the current site and has become a fully operational nursery in which horticulture as well as cooking, craft work, wood work, conservation, music, site maintenance and small mechanical repair tasks have become part of the daily routine.