A FAMILY has been left homeless after fire destroyed the flat in which they lived above a shop in Cannington early on Saturday (August 23).

An appeal through JustGiving was quickly started by a family member and raised more than £4,300 in just the first 12 hours to help Jeff and Eve Tynan and their two-year-old grandson Jayden.

The fire in their flat above the Spar shop, in High Street, started just after 4 am and was attended by fire crews from eight stations across Somerset.

The shop roof was completely destroyed by the fire and the first floor flat was described by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) as being 50 per cent damaged by fire and the whole of it damaged by smoke.

Smoke and water also caused the whole of the ground floor shop premises to be damaged, while it also suffered some fire damage.

The family were all safely evacuated.

Now, their daughter Clair Tynan is appealing for local people to help support the family, whom she said ‘have lost everything this morning in a fire’.

Ms Tynan said: “Our mum, dad, and their two-year-old grandson lived in a flat above the Spar shop in Cannington.

“This morning at 4.30 am they woke to find the flat on fire.

“Thankfully, they left with their lives, no clothes, no belongings.

“Please can the community of Cannington and beyond help us to get them started.

“They have nothing left.”

The fire saw village centre roads closed off to allow safe access for the emergency services, and DSFR issued a warning via social media for people to avoid the area while the firefighting operation was ongoing.

The first fire crews to arrive on scene reported the roof space of the property, located in a terrace of shops and flats, was ‘well alight’.

They immediately called for help from two more fire engines and the incident was escalated with DSFR mobilising multiple resources.

Firefighters attended from the Nether Stowey and Williton stations, as well as Taunton, Bridgwater, Burnham On Sea, Street, Yeovil, and Martock.

The fire crews used eight sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, a safety jet, an aerial ladder, an ejector pump, and other ladders and small tools to fight the blaze.

They isolated utility services to the property and checked for hotspots with a thermal imaging camera.

DSFR has not yet given any cause for how the fire started.

For the Williton firefighters, the incident was the latest in what has proven to be a busy summer for the station.

A spokesperson said: “Since the start of June, our crews have responded to well over 60 incidents, from wildfires and road traffic collisions to alarm activations and medical emergencies – co-responder.

“With the recent heatwave and dry conditions, it has been an especially demanding couple of months.

“Despite the challenges, we are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our local community, your kind words, messages, and encouragement really do make a difference.”

This report updates previous Free Press coverage of the incident.