Community rallies around cake maker after fire

Fire crews were called to the incident in Bridgwater on Monday afternoon

A cake maker has thanked the community for its support after a fire destroyed her family's belongings and items needed for her business.

Diana, who runs her Cake Minx Cakery in Bridgwater, was alerted to the fire on Monday when her son saw smoke outside their window.

The 39-year-old said she ran downstairs and tried to put it out, but had to stand and watch as her garage, that housed some of her children's possessions and school clothes, went up in flames.

Kelly Llewellyn, from Polden Bower School, which has donated uniform vouchers to the family to replace the destroyed items, said: "No young person should face additional hardship during such a difficult time."

"The school community is built on compassion and support, and ensuring the family had what they needed reflects those core values," she added.

Diana said it had been "upsetting" to see the damage caused by the fire.

"It's just a big pile of ash now," she said.

"I knew I had insurance, there was nothing I could do about it - I was just glad that no-one was hurt."

Diana said she was glad no-one was hurt

She said the community's support had been "unbelievable", with people offering money and clothes.

"The hairdressers across the road offered to wash all of our clothes and a lovely lady dropped off a freezer so that I can continue with my cake business.

"Polden Bower School got in touch with me and offered to give me vouchers," she added.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service were called out to the incident on Monday afternoon and said it had been caused by a faulty tumble dryer.

"Three appliances from Taunton and Bridgwater fire stations attended," it said.

"On arrival, the garage was well alight, and crews used a hose reel jet and safety jet to extinguish the fire, which also caused external damage to the outside of the house."