A family have launched a GoFundMe fundraiser after a discarded cigarette sparked a blaze at a house in Swindon last week.
Emergency services were called to Grafton Road in Penhill shortly before 5pm on Thursday (13 August) following reports of a fire.
Firefighters from Stratton, Swindon and Westlea attended – discovering a blaze in a garden, which had spread to a residential property.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire started as a result of a cigarette being chucked on the ground.
Now the family have launched a GoFundMe to replace items lost in the incident.
The occupant’s niece Chelsea Harbour wrote: “On Thursday 13th August 2026, my auntie’s home was devastated by a house fire.
“Thankfully, the most important thing is that my auntie, uncle and 2 cousins are safe but she has lost so much of what she had built and collected over the years.
“The fire has destroyed many of her belongings and left her facing the incredibly difficult task of starting again. Alongside the emotional impact of losing her home and possessions, there are now so many unexpected costs from replacing essential clothing and personal items to finding somewhere safe to stay and eventually rebuilding her life.
“We are setting up this fundraiser to help take some of that financial pressure away from her while she begins to recover from what has happened.”
A fire service spokesperson said: “We were called to Grafton Road, Penhill, Swindon at 4.50pm on Thursday (13 August) for a garden fire that spread to the property.
“Three crews attended, from Stratton, Swindon and Westlea, and six breathing apparatus wearers used three hose reel jets to extinguish the fire, which also caused damage to the outside of the neighbouring house.
“All occupants were accounted for and there were no injuries.
“The stop was at 7.24pm, and it was established that the fire started accidentally due to a discarded cigarette.”
