Charity founders heartbroken as car engulfed in flames

The founders of a childhood cancer trust have said they are "heartbroken" after a car fire which spread "within moments" caused "extensive damage" to their house.

Dawn Allen, one of the founders of the Henry Allen Trust, shared a post on social media saying the couple's world had been "completely turned upside down" after her husband's car caught fire outside their home in the early hours of the morning.

She thanked neighbours for raising the alarm and calling the fire service to their home in Bletchley, Milton Keynes.

"We're still processing everything and feeling completely overwhelmed, broken and numb," she said.

Set up in 2014, the trust aims to support children, teens, young adults and their families battling childhood cancers in memory of Henry Allen, who was diagnosed with stage four high-risk MYCN amplified neuroblastoma at the age of two.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to a fire at a property in Hexham Gardens in Bletchley at about 12:32 BST.

It said the fire, which involved a car, spread to a neighbouring fence, sheds, hedges and trees.

Damage was caused to external areas of the property, including fascia boards and glazing.

On social media, Allen said: "To our amazing neighbours, there are simply no words. Thank you for raising the alarm, calling the fire brigade, helping us, and making sure we were safe. Your quick actions may well have saved our lives, and we will never forget your kindness, courage and support.

"We are heartbroken seeing our home so badly damaged, but repairable and possessions can be replaced. Lives cannot."

Speaking to Andy Collins on BBC Three Counties Radio, she said the couple were awoken by neighbours banging on their front door and windows in the early hours of the morning.

She said she was also grateful to the fire service for rescuing their dog, Storm, from the property.

She said: "We are so lucky for the neighbours because otherwise we would be dead now... We have got such a lovely community where we live and if not — it doesn't bear thinking about.

"We are lucky the whole house didn't go up."

The charity's trust office will be closed for the rest of the week.

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