Community rallies around family of Tamazin Van Der Walt, who died in Popley house fire

Tamazin Van Der Walt, known as Tammy, died after a fire ripped through an end-of-terrace house in Buckfast Close, Popley, in the early hours of Sunday, March 8.

The 28-year-old died due to smoke inhalation, initial findings from the post-mortem revealed.

The house was the home of Tammy’s brother Darren, his fiancée Stacey and their two children.

Now a fund has been set up by friends of the family to help replace some of the items they lost in the fire.

The appeal raised more than £3,000 in just three days.

Lisa Crick, of Richards Field, Chineham, started the appeal with her friend Amy Haddock, both of whom know Darren and his family.

They set a target of raising £3,000 in 30 days.

The 32-year-old said: “I know the family are really overwhelmed by the amount of support.

“They have got a lot to deal with emotionally so we wanted to try and take some of the load off them so they could be left in peace to grieve Tammy.

“We just wanted to lighten the load.”

People have also offered gifts for auction and their services on the appeal’s Facebook page to help the grieving family.

Meanwhile, Andrew Bradley, coroner for North East Hampshire has opened and adjourned an inquest into Tammy’s death until April 15, while an investigation takes place into the cause of the fire. It is not being treated as suspicious by police.

Pictured below with her brother Tammy, of Manbey Grove, Stratford, London, was a former fashion student at Basingstoke College of Technology.

To contribute to the appeal, visit justgiving.com/yimby/popleyhousefire.