Founders of childhood cancer charity left ‘broken’ and ‘numb’ after ‘devastating’ fire at their home in Bletchley
The founders of a childhood cancer charity say they are feeling ‘broken’ and ‘numb’ after a devastating fire at their home in Bletchley in the early hours of this morning (July 14).
Dawn Allen founded the Henry Allen Trust with her husband Mark in 2014, in memory of their son Henry, who died in 2013, aged three, after being diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.
Dawn detailed in a Facebook post how Mark’s car caught fire at around 12.30am outside their home in Hexham Gardens, Bletchley, with the blaze quickly spreading and causing damage to the house.
“Mark’s car caught fire outside our home, on our drive, and within moments the flames spread, causing extensive damage to our house,” Dawn wrote.
“We are devastated and still trying to come to terms with what has happened.”
Dawn added the couple were “incredibly lucky” and thanked neighbours and the fire service for their actions.
“Thank you for raising the alarm, calling the fire brigade, helping us, and making sure we were safe,” she wrote.
“Your quick actions may well have saved our lives, and we will never forget your kindness, courage and support.
“To the incredible fire and rescue crews who attended so quickly and worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control during such difficult conditions, thank you.
“Your professionalism, bravery and compassion mean more than you will ever know.
“We are heartbroken seeing our home so badly damaged, but {it is} repairable and possessions can be replaced. Lives cannot.”
Bucks Fire and Rescue reported that two crews based at West Ashland attended the blaze just after 12.30am.
Firefighters used two sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, a thermal imaging camera and a short extension ladder to tackle the blaze, which they said involved a car, before spreading to a neighbouring fence, sheds, hedges and trees.
Bucks Fire and Rescue’s incident log said of the fire: “Crews made steady progress extinguishing the fire and carried out checks of the property to ensure there was no further fire spread.
“The fire caused damage to the external areas of the property, including fascia boards and glazing.
“Crews remained on scene for some time carrying out damping down and a home fire safety visit.
“A reinspection was carried out later this morning to ensure the area was fully safe, with no further concerns identified.”
Dawn also thanked the fire service for rescuing the couple’s dog Storm adding: “We’re still processing everything and feeling completely overwhelmed, broken and numb.
“Please bear with us whilst we begin to navigate what happens next.
“Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with messages, calls and offers of help. They truly mean the world to us.”
The charity’s trust office will be closed for the rest of the week.
The trust aims to help the families of children experiencing cancer to ‘create memories and fulfil wishes.’
Last month, to mark what would have been Henry’s 17th birthday, the trust hosted a free family fun day in Campbell Park.