Fundraiser for woman whose house devastated by fire

Shelagh Williams (centre) has been supported by friends Tania Pitchford and Dawn Smith

An online crowdfunding campaign has been set up to help a woman whose house was devastated by fire earlier this month, leaving her homeless.

Shelagh Williams’ house in Coventry was destroyed on 13 January by a blaze that also killed her beloved dog Eddie.

A friend of Ms Williams said she was left with just her car and the clothes she stood in.

She was taken to hospital with minor burns and was treated for smoke inhalation, they added.

Ms Williams said she had gone to her car to bring in some shopping after putting the oven on, and when she returned to her kitchen, it was on fire.

"I grabbed my phone, ran outside, phoned the fire brigade," she explained.

"Then I realised Eddie wasn't with me. I wanted to go back in the house and get him but the neighbours wouldn't let me... and so I lost him."

"It all happened very quickly."

Shelagh Williams' house was devastated in the blaze earlier this month

Tania Pitchford, who set up the fundraiser, said: “People have been rallying to help in any way that they can and Shelagh is very grateful.”

Ms Pitchford added that her friend could not afford insurance, and so did not have any cover for the damage.

• Listen on BBC Sounds to how a community rallied to help Shelgah Williams

She said it was not the first time Ms Williams had faced adversity.

Ms Williams survived a heart attack and was also the subject of a Channel 4 documentary after she fell from a ladder while pruning her trees and was impaled on railings.

Despite the misfortunes, Ms Pitchford said Ms Williams was one of the most community-minded people she knew.

She said: “Somewhat ironically, she was collecting donations this December and helping out on Christmas Day at The Cyrenians Christmas Day lunch 2023 - this lovely, selfless lady who helps the homeless has now found herself homeless."

She added donations would "go towards helping Shelagh rebuild her life and hopefully her home if that becomes a possibility".