The community of Petersfield is donating to a fundraising initiative to support victims of the Lavant Street fire.

Linda Kirkbride has organised the collection via an online crowdfunder site.

She says generous donations mean the fund has already raised thousands of pounds.

While insurance will cover may costs, this extra money will help those left homeless or unable to work in the affected businesses.

The scheme is supported by from the mayor of Petersfield, Councillor Chris Paige but is independent of the council. The vicar of Petersfield, the Reverend Canon Will Hughes is also offering support and advice.

Linda is speaking to Shine Radio's Stephen Martin in her wool store in Petersfield.

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Councillor Chris page tells Mike Waddington he's very impressed with the response to the fire in Lavant Street.

He commends the Emergency Services and Utility companies that attended speedily. And he also the staff at the Town Council and East Hants who offered help and he showed me some of the many messages he received from people who offered beds, rooms and an Air BnB flat (that was used by an evacuated family with two children).

I spoke to a family whose mother had been safely evacuated but said a lot of damage had been done to the flat and was very upsetting for them. There was a Fire Officer there who was helping families like this retrieve belongings and making sure they had places to stay and Chris's help was asked for and he swung into action.

There is a cordon on Lavant and Chapel Streets which means a number of businesses are closed. Structural engineers are to attend to survey the damage from the fire and the impact of the water necessarily used, so he area will be sealed off until then.

Businesses close to the cordon are open; I spoke to Adam at Maia's Flowers who explained the effects for them. he also said business neighbours were in touch with each other and believed the damage to some was 'devastating.'

The Petersfield Fire Service told me: "the team worked hard in challenging conditions. Incidents like these remind the public why we need a community run fire station, which ensures they get a fire appliance when they need it as early as possible."

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Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.

• Swift Action week sees nesting boxes fly off the shelf
• A professional organiser from Petersfield has been nominated for a national prize.
• Van Morrison’s favourite band members play live in the Petersphere
• …and we have the local sport preview

To share your news stories email team@shineradio.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Published at 4:59am on 4 July, 2025

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