Kings Hotel Stokenchurch fire: Grateful firefighters thank community

Coffee on The Green kept its doors open overnight while firefighters tackled the burning hotel, providing them with coffees, food and a place to go to the toilet. 

A huge fire broke out at The Kings on Oxford Road on Friday evening. It's not clear yet what caused the fire, but hundreds of firefighters have been battling to bring it under control. 

With Coffee on The Green staff working throughout the night to provide food and drink for fire crews for free, the community has launched a fundraiser to pay them back for their kindness. 

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Initially hoping to raise £500, the fundraiser - started by Melanie Smith - has so far gathered £1,355, smashing the initial target in just over an hour when it was launched on Saturday. 

Organiser Melanie wrote: "Coffee on the Green kindly opened all night to provide food and drink for all who needed it due to the horrendous fire at The Kings Hotel. This fundraiser is to reimburse their costs in this amazing community act."

Their "amazing community spirit" was praised by residents and local councillors who donated out of their own pocket to help Coffee on The Green staff.

High Wycombe Fire Station crews also paid tribute to the staff, saying on Saturday: "A massive thank you to the community of Stokenchurch who are supporting the local coffee shop. Coffee on The Green have been amazing and have kept all the workers throughout last night [Friday], today and going into tonight again fed and watered.

"Thank you once again Katy, Amy, Helen and Meg." 

If you would like to donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/help-coffee-on-the-green