A MAINDEE pub is set to hold a fundraising night in aid of those affected by the fire on Durham Road.

Four houses were severely damaged after a “devastating” blaze ripped through the street in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Local pub manager Amy McCann, who took over the newly reopened Hot Rocks in Maindee earlier this week, lives opposite the fire and saw the drama unfold.

She said she was inspired to help in any way she could after seeing how devastated everyone was by the blaze.

“It was horrible seeing it, I felt awful,” she said.

“We couldn’t do anything and could just see people crying on the street.

“I couldn’t go back to sleep afterwards.

“I went straight to work and was just thinking about it all day, thinking how I could help them.”

She added that it was not the first time she had witnessed a fire rip through a residential street.

“I used to live by Marlborough Road when 10 houses burnt down in 2007,” she said.

“It’s a bit freaky.”

The pub is set to hold a fundraising night, featuring local band G.T.F.B.i and a raffle on Friday, July 17, with proceeds going to the families affected by the fire.

The night will start at 7pm with the band performing from 9pm.

“The money will go towards whatever they need,” added 29-year-old Mrs McCann.

It has been an anxious wait for information for those affected by the fire as the properties remain cordoned off.

But the fire investigator was on the scene yesterday after the properties had been made safe for him to carry out his inspection.

Three out of the five properties were occupied at the time and there were no casualties.

Raising the alarm on the night by calling the emergency services was Nathan Rayner, 21.

He was playing on his games console when he smelt burning.

He said: “I live about 10 doors down from the fire but the smell was really strong and when I looked out I could see smoke.

“I went to have a look and could see an open window with a bright orange glow inside the house.”

He knocked on doors and rang the fire service.

He said: “It was unnerving to wait and watch for the fire service as it spread so quickly.

“Some of the people from the houses were crying and when the roof collapsed it really shocked everyone.”