Tributes paid to man who died as Kirkby Lonsdale tries to recover from devastating fire

Tributes have been paid to a man who died in a fire in Kirkby Lonsdale as its close-knit community tries to recover after the tragedy.

Ben Taylor has been described as "a cherished member of the community" whose "loss is deeply felt by all who knew him".

Mr Taylor died in the blaze, which destroyed several homes and shops in the market town near Lancaster.

His family's shop, GR and RD Taylor general store and army supplies on Market Street, was one of the premises damaged by the fire, and has since had to be demolished.

The long-established and popular store was known far and wide as 'Kirkby Lonsdale's Aladdin's Cave'.

Many tributes have been posted online to Mr Taylor, including from the town's business community.

Dales Traditional Butchers Ltd on Market Street said: "Ben was a cherished member of our community, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends."

Zero Pantry, of Main Street, posted: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Taylor family and everyone else who has been affected in some way by this devastating event."

The Book and Jigsaw Lounges on Main Street posted their "heartfelt condolences to all the Taylor family".

Just N So on Main Street said: "We are so grateful for everything the emergency services have done and continue to do and amazed at our community response for those in need at this heartbreaking time. Sending our heartfelt condolences to the Taylor family."

Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Union Club said: "Last weekend, our close-knit community in Kirkby Lonsdale suffered a tragic fire that claimed the life of Ben Taylor who was part of a family which has been an important supporter of Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club over a number of generations. 

"We will be holding a minute's silence on Sunday to reflect the extremely sad loss of Ben Taylor."

Emergency services were called out to the fire on Main Street on Sunday at 5.45am.

Residents from nearby homes were evacuated after the authorities were alerted to the blaze in apartments opposite the Red Dragon pub.

Mr Taylor was recovered from the property where the fire started and declared dead at the scene.

Another man suffered minor injuries and was checked in hospital for potential smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is unknown at present.

Firefighters, who have been working in the area for the past few days, were on site again on Wednesday morning, and Westmorland and Furness Council said "this was to deal with a remaining 'hot-spot' area in the building, which has now been extinguished".

A spokesperson for Penrith Fire Station, who were called to the fire on Sunday, said: "We have to say we were absolutely blown away by the community spirit; how they all pulled together supporting each other and they also looked after all the emergency services on site."

On Wednesday, the cordon which had virtually closed the town for three days, was shortened allowing some businesses to reopen.

Kirkby Lonsdale community Facebook page posted an update on Wednesday morning, as follows:

"Our town is slowly recovering after the tragic events of the weekend.

"A number of shops on Main Street, which was totally closed following the fire, will reopen this morning.

"The cordon will allow several shops including a pub, the town’s only bank, a hairdressers and a home and garden store to open for the first time since the fire claimed one life and destroyed the Old Market Hall on Sunday.

"The town’s weekly Charter Market, held in Market Square, will be held on Thursday as usual.

"Please do show your support for our local businesses."

On Tuesday, a post on the page said: "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a popular member of Kirkby Lonsdale's community.

"Our thoughts are with their family, friends and loved ones.

"A huge thank you to the amazing emergency services who have been working tirelessly since the early hours of Sunday morning, under incredibly difficult circumstances.

"Kirkby Lonsdale's community spirit has shone through, with officers commenting on how united our community has been. We are devastated, but we will rise again."

Dales Traditional Butchers was one of the shops to reopen on Wednesday.

"In these challenging times, our beautiful town of Kirkby Lonsdale needs the support of each and every one of us," said a post from Mark and the Dales team.

"Recent events have shown our community's strength and resilience, and now it's time to rally together and rebuild what makes our town special. 

"We're pleased to share that Main Street is open up to Nat West Bank, and Market Street is partially open, including our butcher shop and our friends at Spotty Hen.

"We are back in action, full steam ahead, and ready to serve you.

"Let us stand shoulder to shoulder and make a real difference. our community spirit and solidarity can spread beyond borders. Together, we can keep Kirkby Lonsdale thriving and full of life.

"Thank you for being with us every step of the way. Together, we can achieve anything!"

Since Sunday, people have rallied together to raise thousands of pounds for residents affected by the fire, through online fundraising pages.

A page set up to help a player from Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Union Club who lost his home and all his belongings in the fire, had raised more than £13,000 HERE as we went to press.

Another page to help two former players from the rugby club had raised more than £14,600, after the fire spread to their flats.

"Within hours the whole building was up in flames and everything inside unsalvageable," said the fundraising page HERE.

"Sam and Josh have both said that any funds raised will be shared between everyone involved in the Kirkby Lonsdale Street Fire, residents who lost their homes, and family members who have lost loved ones."

A further page HERE, called the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Impact Support Fund, has been set up by Nicola Brown on behalf of Lunesdale Hall. It has raised more than £5800 as we went to press.

"This fundraising page has been created to provide urgent and longer term financial support for affected businesses (some who don't have insurance), personal support for displaced and affected residents and home owners," says the page.

"The fund has been created by the Lunesdale Hall committee and will work closely with the other main fundraising page. It will be managed by a committee (to be formed), applications and distribution of urgent and non urgent monies will begin over the next week."

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, spoke about the tragedy in the House of Commons on Wednesday, after Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, asked him how the government can support the community to rebuild and recover.

"Sunday was meant to be a day of celebration with Christmas markets, family games and community events, and instead the town faces a tragedy," said Ms Collinge, speaking in Parliament.

Mr Starmer said in reply: "I think all of us can only imagine the impact that this has had on the town, and the families and friends of the victims of this awful tragedy. I commend the community which has come together in an extraordinary way in the aftermath of this awful event.

"I'll make sure (Ms Collinge) has a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss how the government can support her community at this vital time."