Appeal set up for hero who died in Eastbourne fire

Thirty-three-year-old Tom Doyle died when a fire ripped through the flat he lived in at Cloister Court off Seaside Road in the early hours of Sunday February 14.

A post mortem revealed he had died of smoke inhalation and friends say he was trying to evacuate the building and described him as a hero who risked his life to save others.

A GoFundMe page has now been set up in memory of Mr Doyle, who had a nine-year-old son and was also known as the Wexford Busker.

More than £2,000 has been raised after it was set up by his colleague Charlotte Hopkins.

She said, “Tom worked for us at Meadowburne Place, Willingdon. He proved to be a valuable and integral member of the site team and will be sadly missed.

“Tom was always the first on site and last to leave. He had a great work ethic and was always out working hard on site in all weathers .

“Tom left behind a nine-year-old son who will sadly never see his father again. This fund has been set up for his family for those that wish to donate.

“I’m sure Tom would have been overwhelmed that the company he worked for and his work colleagues appreciated his hard work and he is in our thoughts always.”

As well as working on the development of new homes in Willingdon, Mr Doyle was also a talented musician and often played in both Eastbourne and Brighton.

Eight fire engines from Eastbourne, Bexhill, Hastings, Pevensey, Herstmonceux, Hailsham and Seaford were called to the scene at around 2am on the morning of the blaze.

The building was evacuated and firefighters spent two hours battling the flames.

A fire investigation is underway and an inquest into Mr Doyle’s death has been opened and adjourned by the coroner for East Sussex.