Heartbroken Hampshire family 'lost everything' after home in Bishop's Waltham went up in smoke

On Saturday Chloe Rye-Kerr and her son Hugo, age five, returned to their home in Oak Road, Bishop’s Waltham, to find the property had gone up in smoke. In the blaze the family lost everything – including their beloved dog, Simba.

With no insurance and no savings, the family are desperate to get back on their feet as soon as they can. Now, as they sit in a hotel room together, the community has rallied around to give them the help they need.

SEE ALSO: Car meet in Waterlooville car park goes 'wrong' as car collides with pedestrians and seriously injures teenage girl

A GoFundMe page has been started up by Chloe’s brother, Owen Browning, and has already received more than £3,500 in donations. The family have also been given clothes and other essentials to tide them over.

On the fundraising page, Owen said: ‘I have started this to try raise enough money to rent somewhere to live and maybe buy Hugo a toy or two. Chloe and my nephew are the most loving and helpful people and a lot of people will know her around Portsmouth, Four Marks and Bishops Waltham.

‘Any donations will be highly appreciated and will help both Chloe and Hugo start rebuilding their lives. Unfortunately Chloe did not have insurance and no life savings – she used her last £20 to put the electric on.

‘To anyone who helps in any way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is investigating the property.

To donate, people can go to gofundme.com/f/my-sister-and-her-little-boys-home-has-burnt-down.