Fundraiser launched to help ramraided and fire-hit cafe to reopen

A fund has been launched to help a village cafe reopen to customers after it was rammed with a pick-up truck which was then set on fire.
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As a joint investigation continues by Durham Constabulary and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service continues, people are rallying round to help the owners of the business get back on their feet.

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A GoFundMe page has already raised more than £470 towards the £2,500 goal, although it is feared the impact of the collision and aftermath of the fire could mean the woman who owns the cafe is unable to reopen it to customers.

The front of the building shows the damaged caused by the blaze, while the front of the cafe has been boarded up.The front of the building shows the damaged caused by the blaze, while the front of the cafe has been boarded up.
The front of the building shows the damaged caused by the blaze, while the front of the cafe has been boarded up.

Carley Hepworth, who has set up the campaign, has told followers: “Let’s pull together as a community to raise money and help them re open sooner rather than later.

“The staff have worked so hard through both lockdowns to make sure people have been fed let’s give something back to them.

"The damage is that intense she doesn’t know if a reopen is possible.”

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A photo shared County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service after its crews managed to put out the blaze.A photo shared County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service after its crews managed to put out the blaze.
A photo shared County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service after its crews managed to put out the blaze.

The fire service sent three appliances, two from Peterlee and a third from Sedgefield, to the scene following reports a vehicle had collided with the building and arrived to find the truck well alight.

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The teams used two hose reels to put out the fire, with a positive pressure ventilation fan used to clear the area of smoke.

In the aftermath of the incident, the vehicle remained in place while inquiries got under way, with the shutters of the cafe left badly damaged by the impact of the crash.

It is hoped money can be raised to help Sizzlers cafe reopen.It is hoped money can be raised to help Sizzlers cafe reopen.
It is hoped money can be raised to help Sizzlers cafe reopen.
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Anyone with information has been asked to contact Peterlee CID on 101 quoting incident number 390 of January 13.

Alternatively details can be passed on anonymously by calling FireStoppers on 0800 169 558.

Anyone who would like to donate to the fund can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sizzlers-cafe-rebuild-their-business.

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