‘Losing everything in the house fire was devastating’

A family have told of their devastation after losing almost all their belongings in a massive fire at the weekend.

Simba Chitsatso and his family had to flee their flat in Horsham, West Sussex, as a massive fire broke out in the Gardner and Scardfield building below them on Saturday.

People are donating clothes and school uniforms for the family – and a fundraiser set up by the community has already raised more than £18,500.

10 fire engines controlled the fire in Queen Street 18 residents are being evacuated from the areaThe fire service said.

Mr Chitsotso said he only had time to grab his passport before running out of the building without shoes.

The 42-year-old man said his friends had come over for dinner and were completely unaware of the fire which broke out at around 22.00 GMT.

“Someone came and was banging on the door and said ‘You need to get out of the house now, it’s on fire,'” he said. I shouted to everyone to get out.” BBC Radio Sussex.

“It was scary. My kids were shaking and crying, I’m just grateful we’re all alive.

He said, “When I opened the bedroom door I felt the heat, it scared me. I felt like it could explode at any moment. It was shocking to be greeted by that heat.”

“To lose everything at once, it was devastating. My second thought was to go back, maybe it’s time to go home (to Zimbabwe).”

Mr Chitsatso says his employer has allowed him to stay in a guest house at the nearby Mannings Heath Golf Club.

She said people have donated clothes, school uniforms, toiletries and other essentials for her three children.

Mr Chitsotso said: “The community we live in here in Horsham is something I have never seen like this in my entire life.

“People who care, I didn’t know people cared to this level. We have nothing left. I’m just grateful, I think I would just hug everybody.”

“They’re all strangers to me, for them to help someone they’ve never met, just because someone has fallen into this tragic situation, is amazing. It’s beyond surprising, it’s shocking.

“The amount of generosity stunned me,” he said.

Mr Chitsotso said: “The first hour was devastating, but that’s when I saw the reaction of the community of Horsham.

“It’s amazing.”

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “On arrival crews encountered a well-established fire at the rear of a large commercial premises.

“Firefighters worked hard to extinguish the intense fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. Regular re-inspections are being carried out to ensure there are no hotspots.

The fire service also confirmed that no one was injured and the cause was ruled accidental.