Community rallies after Bognor Regis arson

Linden Road resident Allison Bashford, 55, lost 11 pets when a fire tore through her garden and most of her kitchen.

A fundraiser was set up to help 'bring some joy' back to her life, raising about £1,300.

"It's phenomenal," Allison said, "It is going to help me out a lot. It wont bring back my animals but it will help."

The team leader at Rose Green Junior School would be using the money to give her daughter 'a break' after she discovered the firew

"You go through it but then you reflect on what could have happened. My house is still bad," she added.

She has lost the use of electricity on most of the ground floor of her home meaning she has had to cook microwave meals from her front room.

"We're not doing well but I am trying to be positive. Today I thought, I have really got to get going.

"I am so grateful for the kindness and generosity. I wasn't expecting it and it has really helped me keep going. I'm normally the giver so I am a bit humbled by it."

Police continue to investigate the incident.

Speaking at the time, a spokesman said: "Officers were called by the fire service to two sheds on fire at residential properties on Linden Road at 5.25am on Friday, 27 March.

"Two suspects were reportedly seen making off through the cemetery which backing onto the properties shortly after the blaze began about 4am. Eleven rabbits and guinea pigs inside one of the sheds were killed in the fire. The incident is being treated as suspicious.

"Anyone who witnessed anything is asked to report online or call 101, quoting serial 123 of 27/03."

Read the original story here: Eleven pets killed in suspected Bognor Regis arson attackA message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

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