Street of tragedy looks to future with celebrations

ONE of the most poignant Diamond Jubilee street parties took place in Bridlington yesterday, where residents of Clarence Avenue were hoping for a better future in the first community celebration since a devastating house fire claimed the lives of three young children.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Jun 2012, 21:42 BST

William Beal, nine, Antony “AJ” Fothergill, five, and three-year-old Maddie Hudson, died, and their mother, Samantha Hudson, 29, suffered brain damage when a ferocious blaze tore through their home in the terraced cul-de-sac on November 11, 2010.

Neighbours and the emergency services fought in vain to revive the children in the street after they were pulled from the building, with one describing them as being “like little rag dolls”. The children were buried three weeks later after an emotional funeral at Emmanuel Parish Church.

A joint investigation by police and firefighters found the blaze was probably caused by a discarded cigarette.

The grandparents of the children who died and the firefighters who tried to save them were among the guests.

The event was dubbed “Britain’s Greatest Street Party” by Reckitt Benckiser and Full House Magazine.

Bridlington Neighbours