THE borough community has been thanked by a mum and her nine-year-old daughter who lost most of their possessions in a tower block fire over the weekend, but who have been quickly rehoused by Thurrock Council and are benefitting from lots of local support.

The drama of Saturday morning's fire on a flat on the top (13th ) floor of the George Tilbury block on Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, was captured in Thurrock Nub News' live report from the scene.

Mum Donna and daughter Sophia were both affected by smoke-inhalation and were checked out at hospital after escaping the fire that was started by a faulty tumble drier, and they were offered lots of immediate local support from local people and the council, including Chadwell ward councillor Sara Muldowney who spent much of the day with the duo.

In the wake of the fire family friend Paige Alexander set up a fundraising page to help Donna and Sophie – and people can still donate via this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-this-poor-familys-home-back-up?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer. The appeal has already raised more than £500. Donations of clothes and essentials to help both mum and Sophie have also been pledged.

From their temporary home Donna spoke to Nub News to thanks those who had helped, saying: "Myself and my daughter Sophie lost everything, all our memories and precious photos are gone but we can make new ones.

"I got my daughter and I to safety and that's all that matters!

"Thank-you to every single person who has donated, we are overwhelmed."