Ipswich fund-raiser seeks life-changing treatment for Ocean the chihuahua after suspected arson in Portman Road

Family and friends of two people in hospital after a suspected arson attack in Ipswich are raising funds to save the life of a dog which was also hurt in the ‘horrendous’ incident.

A GoFundMe was launched in the wake of a house fire in Portman Road on Tuesday, looking to raise £1,600 towards treatment for Ocean the chihuahua, who was thrown out of a window to save her from the blaze.

There were six people in the building at the time and while four were uninjured, a man and a woman were hospitalised after jumping out of an upstairs window to escape.

Liz Day, of Felixstowe, who is involved with the fund-raiser, told SuffolkNews the pair were on the mend after the incident, but still had a long way to go.

It is expected they will be in hospital for months – with their immediate focus being saving Ocean’s life.

Ocean suffered from a dislocated thigh bone from the pelvis, leaving her unable to walk, Liz said. She could be put to sleep if her injuries are not treated.

Liz said: “I don’t think people understand how devastating house fires can be until they experience it. The family lost everything – their home, photographs and possessions.

“The pair are in hospital and it will be months before they need anything, so they’ve set their eyes on the dog, which the vet didn’t want to put down because she’s so healthy.

“Thankfully we’ve had a lot of lovely people commenting and sharing the fund-raiser, which we appreciate.”

Liz said the family living at the house had a lot on their plate right now, so she and others stepped in to raise awareness.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 5.17am.

In addition to the six people in the building, 11 people were evacuated from homes nearby.

A 24-year-old man from Felixstowe, who was arrested in connection with the fire, has been bailed until November 12.

The incident is still being investigated, a police spokesman said.

The pair injured in the blaze wish to remain anonymous at this time.

You can donate via GoFundMe using this link.

Liz said the woman suffered an open fracture to her ankles, burns to her hand requiring skin grafts and ‘superficial’ burns to other parts of her body.

The pair were in bed when the blaze took hold, she said, which spread so far they had to resort to jumping out of their bedroom window.

Liz said she was not present at the scene but saw videos on social media.

“It was horrendous,” she said. “As soon as I saw it, I was really worried about them. I contacted some of the family, who were not aware of what was happening.

“The family are very much animal lovers and want to do what they can for Ocean.”