Worthing community rallies to support family after New Years Day house fire

A community fundraising appeal has been launched to support a Worthing family who lost their home and possessions in a house fire during the early hours of New Years Day. The fire broke out at a property in Abingdon Walk, Durrington, with five occupants injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

A GoFundMe page was set up by family friend Shona Moore to help support the parents and their three children, who are currently being treated in different specialist hospitals. The appeal aims to assist with emergency accommodation, clothing, time away from work and other immediate costs, with a target of £4,000 set and almost half already raised.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said six fire engines attended the scene at 4.14am, with firefighters rescuing a woman from the property and preventing the blaze from spreading to neighbouring homes. Sussex Police confirmed the road was closed while crews worked and said the incident is not being treated as suspicious, with investigations continuing into the cause of the fire.