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More than £17,000 donated for victims of Low Street, Bardwell, five-home fire as fund-raiser and charity auction organised

By Ross Waldron
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ross.waldron@iliffepublishing.co.uk
Published: 07:51, 22 April 2025
 | Updated: 10:32, 23 April 2025

A fund-raiser and charity auction day have been organised for the families affected by a five-home fire in a village at the weekend, with more than £17,000 already raised.

On Saturday, 16 fire crews were called to Low Street, Bardwell, after a blaze ripped through five thatched properties.

Bardwell councillors told SuffolkNews it was ‘devastating’ for the community, but the village had rallied around the families to help in any way they could.

Bardwell Parish Council chairman David Ruffles said the damage from the Low Street fire was ‘very severe’. Picture: Mark Westley
Bardwell Parish Council chairman David Ruffles said the damage from the Low Street fire was ‘very severe’. Picture: Mark Westley
The fire was in five thatched homes in Low Street, Bardwell. Picture by Mark Westley
The fire was in five thatched homes in Low Street, Bardwell. Picture by Mark Westley

Now, a GoFundMe page has been set up by Bardwell Parish Council to support the victims of the fire after many requests in the community to do so.

So far, it has raised more than £17,000, with one anonymous donation of £1,000.

There will also be a charity auction day at Bardwell Tithe Barn on Saturday, May 10, with donations now being taken for the lots.

Bardwell Parish Council said: “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those affected by this fire. Thankfully no one was physically hurt, and pets were rescued.

The scene in Low Street, Bardwell, after the fire ripped through five homes. Picture: Mark Westley
The scene in Low Street, Bardwell, after the fire ripped through five homes. Picture: Mark Westley
The main road into Bardwell from Ixworth was shut in the wake of the Low Street fire. Picture: Mark Westley
The main road into Bardwell from Ixworth was shut in the wake of the Low Street fire. Picture: Mark Westley

“Bardwell Parish Council is remaining in contact with those impacted, offering support at this very difficult time.

“We have received many requests from the community who are wanting to support any of the families who may need immediate financial assistance during this extremely difficult time.”

It said, for this reason, it set up the GoFundMe to ensure all donated funds were managed appropriately and transparently.

Some families affected by the Low Street, Bardwell blaze were put up in The Six Bells, in Davey’s Lane. Picture: Mark Westley
Some families affected by the Low Street, Bardwell blaze were put up in The Six Bells, in Davey’s Lane. Picture: Mark Westley
The scene in Low Street, Bardwell, after the fire ripped through five homes. Picture: Mark Westley
The scene in Low Street, Bardwell, after the fire ripped through five homes. Picture: Mark Westley

The auction day will be on a donation entry basis, and lots can be dropped off at The Dun Cow, in the village, or at Celias Hair Fashions in Stanton.

Organisers have asked for donations of prizes that ‘money can’t buy’, and the event will run from 1pm to 11.30pm.

“Any prize we could auction off, say a grass cutting or hedge cutting, or any item, service, you could offer,” said the organisers.

The fire in Low Street, Bardwell. Picture: Andrew Chaplin
The fire in Low Street, Bardwell. Picture: Andrew Chaplin

It will be a day of music, raffles, the auction and other activities as well as having a live band, full bar and 80s/90s disco in the evening with Lee Ashford.

Organisers of the auction day are now looking for helpers to run the day, from under taking the auction to behind the bar.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Bury St Edmunds Charity Fire Human Interest Suffolk Homepage Ross Waldron