People in Petersfield are donating to a fundraiser to support victims of the Lavant Street fire.

Linda Kirkbride of the Handmade Studios Yarn shop 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’s appeal to funders is set-out on the scheme’s webpage:

a fire in Lavant Street devastated our community, destroying small businesses and homes. Every little bit you can contribute will make a real difference for those affected, so please consider donating … to help out. Thank you!

How can I donate?

If you’d like to support the appeal you can find more information and how to donate on this Go Fund Me page.

If you’d prefer to donate in person, there is a cash collection bucket at Petersfield Bookshop on Chapel Street.

What do we know about the effects of the fire?

Nobody is hurt but four residential flats and business premises have suffered serious structural damage.

Alma Hodgkins is one of those who has lost their home. She told the BBC she was scared by the noise and numbed by the shock of the fire.

Thanks to work by the mayor of Petersfield, she has been rehoused by a generous local resident who had an annex available.

Another three flats were affected, one of which was empty after recent renovation. Two other properties were approved for conversion from retail space to one bedroom flats on the first and second floors in 2016.

Four local businesses bore the brunt of the damage at street level.

The House of Boo beauty and tanning centre is believed to be the worst affected as the fire appeared to start immediately above its premises.

Lavant Dental (formally Lavant Street Dental) is also within the damaged building. It had recently refitted some of its treatment areas. Damira Dental on Petersfield High Street has offered to support any patients who are looking for urgent dental treatment.

Snappy Snaps has also been refitted recently. It took over the former Petersfield Photographic store just this Spring.

One Tree Books has been trading from its Lavant Street premises for 30 years. Café manager Alma Blackwell raised the alarm when the fire broke out. Owner Tim O’Kelly says he expects to be closed for business for an extended period but promised customers the store will reopen.

Other businesses are being prevented from opening because they are inside the safety cordon.

Twilly’s alterations store, run by Tanya and the Petersfield Hairdressers run by mother and daughter team Emily and Debbie are among them.

Power supplies have been isolated to the building. This has also cut power to a broadband cabinet on Chapel Street, leaving around one hundred premises without internet connectivity.

Structural engineer

The police say the cordon cannot be lifted and roads reopened until after a structural engineer has inspected the building and declared it safe.

There is confusion over when the engineer will visit. Some people say they’ve been told Monday but according to officers at the scene, the police expect it to happen on Wednesday.

Councillor David Podger was in touch with officers at East Hampshire District Council on Friday night. He told Shine Radio he expects a civil engineer will be available to visit the site on Monday.

The council does not have such skilled people on its permanent workforce so must contract a external expert for this specialist work he says.

Police guard the site

Expect to see a continuous police presence at the site of the fire.

They say the building has sustained significant structural damage and that emergency services will remain there to wait for an assessment from the structural engineer to ensure the building is safe to enter.

They say that only then will further enquiries continue to establish the cause of the fire.

Road closures are likely to remain in place for the remainder of the weekend.