Villagers in Bishopsteignton have raised over £6,000 to support the victims of a devastating fire earlier this month.

A crowdfunder set up by neighbour Gareth Jones to support the households affected by the fire at Applegarth has generated almost £4,500 in less than a fortnight.

A coffee and cake morning organised by villager Fran Edwards that was held on Saturday (April 12) raised a further £1,852 to help the households who lost everything in the blaze.

Firefighters were called to a property on the corner of Smith Street, Clanage Street and Berry Hill in Bishopsteignton on Tuesday April 1 after receiving several reports of a fire.

Upon arrival crews discovered that the fire had spread to a second property through the roofspace, requiring the assistance of a further four crews and an aerial ladder.

No-one was injured in the fire. However, at least two households lost all their belongings as a result of the blaze.

Money from the crowdfunder will be distributed by a community committee ‘to the people that need the most help’, Gareth explained.

Victims of the fire include 85-year-old Maureen Harris who lived in the ground floor flat and lost most of her belongings to water and smoke damage.

An unnamed coupled and their young son who lived upstairs were also badly affected by the fire.

Any excess funds raised from the crowdfunder will be held by Bishopsteignton Parish Council and ring-fenced for five years for use ‘in the event of a similar misfortune’. After five years, any remaining money will be ‘used for an appropriate village activity’, Gareth confirmed.

Last week, the managers of the Old Commercial Inn, which is located opposite where the fire broke out, were commended by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for their kindness and hospitality in supporting fire crews as they tackled the fire.