A fundraising appeal launched by a 26-year-old factory worker raised more than £1,500 for those left homeless by the Sudbury blaze.

East Anglian Daily Times: Emergency services at the scene of a fire in Sudbury town centre.Emergency services at the scene of a fire in Sudbury town centre. (Image: Archant)

Dan Richardson said he started the online appeal in response to social media being inundated with people saying they were willing to donate.

A total of £1,650 has been raised and Mr Richardson said he has been left “overwhelmed”. Click here to donate.

Mr Richardson, of Mallard Way, Great Cornard, said: “Lots of people were saying on Facebook and Twitter that they were willing to donate money to help those left homeless.

East Anglian Daily Times: Emergency services at the scene of a fire in Sudbury town centre.Emergency services at the scene of a fire in Sudbury town centre. (Image: Archant)

“I thought, why not set one up. So I quickly created one and the response was brilliant. It kept being shared and retweeted in a matter of hours hundreds of pounds had been raised.

“The community has really pulled together to help those affected by the fire. I went down myself and it looks like a bomb has gone off. It just makes you feel sick to see such damage.

“When you live in small town you never think something like that is going to happen to those that you know. It shows how deadly a small fire can turn into a big disaster.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Firefighters and emergency services at the scene of the huge blaze at the Market Hill end of Friars Street in Sudbury.Firefighters and emergency services at the scene of the huge blaze at the Market Hill end of Friars Street in Sudbury. (Image: Archant)

Mr Richardson, who works for Philips Avent in Glemsford, is now in the process of donating the sum to Sudbury Town Council.

One anonymous donator wrote: “Feel so sorry for the loss of homes and business hope this small donation helps.”

Another wrote: “So SO sad...we could see the smoke early evening but didn’t realise what was going on until much later...our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected and enormous praise to the rescue services.”

East Anglian Daily Times: The aftermath of the Sudbury fire - Mike OnslowThe aftermath of the Sudbury fire - Mike Onslow (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The aftermath of the Sudbury fire - Mike OnslowThe aftermath of the Sudbury fire - Mike Onslow (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Dan Richardson launched a fundraising appeal to help those left homeless and donated more than £1,000.Dan Richardson launched a fundraising appeal to help those left homeless and donated more than £1,000. (Image: Archant)