Oxfordshire community raise nearly £1000 after horse barn lost in fire

After hearing of the fire at Southlea Barn, South Newington, between Chipping Norton and Banbury, on April 23, Emma Briggs, whose 15-year-old daughter keeps her horse there, raced over to the site.

She said she was shocked by the "absolute devastation" she saw.

The 48-year-old set up a Gofundme page four days ago and has already raised £865 of her £1000 target to help the owners Sam Murphy and Murph to rebuild. 

READ MORE: Cat dies in a devastating house fire

Image of the barn after the fire shared by Emma Briggs.

Mrs Briggs said: "My daughter's horse is her absolute best friend. So as soon as we heard the news we drove over there and the drive was a bit fraught to say the least!

"I'm just so grateful that none of the horses were hurt and everybody was safe, but when we got there I just wanted to cry.

"Just seeing all the hard work gone like that, there was just nothing left."

The mother-of-two shared the importance of getting the tack shed fixed at least before winter, and expressed her gratitude to everyone who has pulled together already to help them.

Heavy fire damage at Southlea Barn in Banbury.

She said: "We are absolutely amazed at how generous people have been. This week I've driven all around Oxfordshire picking stuff up and we have gotten most of the rugs back.

"We didn't think that we would raise any money so to have nearly reached our goal is amazing."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that two engines from Banbury Fire Station were deployed to the incident along with one from Hook Norton Fire Station.

Firefighters said there were no injuries but said a stable of approximately four metres by three metres had been destroyed by fire.

You can find the Gofundme here: https://gofund.me/4bcd0610

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