A YOUNG family unable to return to their home after a huge fire in the centre of Witney have been inundated with offers of support.

Sixty firefighters battled what witnesses described as ‘50 foot’ flames amid a series of ‘explosions’ at T&B Motors in West End last Wednesday.

Though the blaze was contained over the course of several hours, a risk of airborne asbestos fibres meant a group of residents from a nearby street had to be placed into emergency accommodation.

While the majority of Farmers Close residents returned to their homes, one family, whose home contained asbestos debris, remain in limbo.

It is understood that a lot of the family’s possessions were left damaged as a result of smoke pouring into the property.

In response, people in the area have gone above and beyond to support Emily Hunt and her three children.

A crowdfunding page to support the family smashed its target of £500 in 12 hours and doubled it in 24 hours. At the time of going to press, 139 supporters had raised £2,246 for the family.

Others have provided clothes, toys and offers of accommodation to help out the family, with Karen Cradock leading a call for donations.

Emily’s sister-in-law Kirstine Hunt, speaking on behalf of the family, thanked the community for their ‘amazing’ support.

She said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed with all the kind donations received so far for Emily and the girls... Thank you.”

Ms Hunt added that there was no room for extra donations at the moment, but said she would provide further information once the family was more settled.

Helen Harris, who set up the crowdfunding page that soared past its target, said: “We’re well and truly over the £2,000 mark, which is absolutely fantastic.

“It fills my heart to see the kindness of others. Thank you so, so much for your generosity. This will make a world of difference to this family.”

Twelve people were evacuated from seven households in Farmers Close and put into emergency accommodation after the fire while specialists checked whether there was any asbestos in the air.

The T&B Motors building included cement roof tiles, creating a risk of fibres spreading into the atmosphere.

Virtually all of the asbestos tests came back negative on Friday and most residents were able to return home the following day – apart from the Hunt family, because there was visible asbestos debris in their home.

Firefighters had tracked the asbestos debris into the home when entering it to rescue the family’s puppies.

Because of the visible debris the family has been advised to stay out of the property until it can be professionally cleaned.

Toby Morris, the deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, explained that the family had first spent a night in a hotel, before moving into a holiday let that has since become unavailable.

He said the council was working with the family’s landlord’s insurer, providing assistance in finding temporary accommodation locally.

The council dismissed rumours circulating online that the family would have to be housed further afield.

The insurer will is understood to be handling the cleaning of the family’s home.

Mr Morris added: “Nobody wants to have to leave their home at short notice but this wasn’t normal circumstances.

“I’m praising the emergency services and council staff for their efforts.

“It’s also nice to know that you’ve got a number of residents looking out for them as well as councillors and the council.”

Firefighters were called to the scene of the breakers’ yard fire shortly before 10am.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the town.

Multiple hosereels were used to tackle the flames and it took the fire service until 2.30pm to take control of the blaze.

During the fire, which was reported by nationally, some residents were evacuated to Elmfield Council offices while police advised people in the area to stay indoors with their windows and doors shut and to keep pets inside.

Nobody is believed to have been injured in the fire and investigations into its cause are ongoing.

Andy Godfrey, who runs the business with his mother and son, praised the fire service for their response to the blaze and apologised for any inconvenience caused to locals.

The 54-year-old said: “From all of us here I cannot praise the fire service enough. Absolutely out of this world. They were just brilliant.”

Mr Godfrey, whose family have run the business - called T & B since 1972 - for 60 years, did not say what caused the fire, but continued: “It’s nothing like back to normal. We won’t be taking any orders for the foreseeable future.

“Its going to be tough, but we are looking forward.”

A cleaning company has been working in the area since the incident and are working their way around the properties that have debris in their gardens.

Anybody who has any concerns about asbestos or the clean-up operation are asked to call the council on 01993 861000.

Residents can also check for updates on WODC’s website at westoxon.gov.uk.