A Calne resident whose garden was damaged in Sunday's fire has thanked firefighters, neighbours and strangers who came to the rescue as the blaze spread between neighbouring properties.
Gwen Klat said she was in her garden at around 6.30pm when she noticed thick black smoke rising from a neighbouring property.
"My house cats ran indoors because of the smoke and noise," she said. "I realised the fire had reached Mr and Mrs Kaiser's sheds and my shed was ablaze."
As the fire spread, Gwen managed to get one of her cats into a carrier but couldn't find the other.
"My neighbour was banging for me to get out. I said I couldn't find my cat. He told me I was to get out and that he would find my missing cat, which he did."
She said neighbour Martin Hooper rescued the cat before she left the property. "I am nominating him as my hero," she said.
Gwen also praised an off-duty paramedic and nurse who stopped to help a neighbour who became unwell during the incident.
"We don't know their names, but we are thankful to them."
Gwen said the firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. "They were brilliant. We are so thankful to them."
The fire left significant damage across the neighbouring gardens.
At one property, three sheds were lost along with flammable items stored inside, grandchildren's outdoor toys, a pet memorial garden and a wooden structure over a fish pond. The pond's pump was damaged and the fish had to be relocated while family members worked to clear the debris.
In Gwen's garden, her shed was burned through along with electrical gardening equipment, tools and garden furniture. A water butt melted in the heat, as did sections of guttering and air vents.
The fire also destroyed fence panels, gates and hedging, leaving three neighbouring gardens unsecured and meaning pets could no longer be safely let outside.
Temporary measures have since been put in place, but nothing damaged by the fire can be removed until insurance assessors have inspected the properties.
Gwen said she believes the fire started from a bonfire in a neighbouring garden before spreading rapidly to nearby properties. The cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed.
She said the support from neighbours had helped the families begin to deal with the aftermath.
"Most of our close neighbours were supportive and offering help. We are all extremely thankful."
However, she said some comments posted on social media after the fire had been upsetting while the families were trying to come to terms with the damage.
"The families involved are under extreme stress sorting out insurance and wrecked property. It is not necessary."
"We are extremely thankful to the fire brigade, people who we don't know for their help, and some caring neighbours and friends."
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