A major fire which killed one person at a magic shop and flat in Lincoln prompted a wave of kind donations, with over £1,600 raised in a matter of hours to support the family affected.

As previously reported, residents said a loud bang could be heard before flames engulfed the former Co-op building on De Wint Avenue on Monday, December 21.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 4.30pm, and the fire was eventually put out at around 9pm with the efforts of eight appliances and 50 firefighters.

In the hours after news broke that one person had sadly been killed in the blaze, a friend of the family had created a fundraising page titled ‘Taylor Xmas Appeal’ to help them in their time of need.

Creator of the fundraising page Bekki Henderson said in her appeal: “On Monday December 21 this year, tragedy struck a local Lincoln family/business and dear friends of ours.

“A fire resulting in the loss of their home, business and sadly life, all just four days before Christmas.

“As friends and Lincoln residents we would like to help as much as possible in their time of need.

“We have created this fund to try raise as much as possible to help replace items such as clothes, shoes and anything else to help make this tragic time that little bit easier.

“So please give what you can and if you would like to help in any other way please get in touch.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can find out more information on the page here.

Police have at the time of writing made no formal identification of the person killed in last night’s fire.

De Wint Avenue and Shannon Avenue remain closed as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

It’s expected they will be closed for the majority of the morning.

The overnight updates were as follows:

• Firefighters tackle blaze at Lincoln property
• Crews put out fire at shop and flats in Lincoln
• One person dies in De Wint Avenue fire in Lincoln

Police are treating a fire in which a person died as ‘unexplained’, as investigations continue.

As previously reported, the fire at the De Wint Avenue online magic store and flat broke out just before 4.30pm on Monday, December 21.

Officers have said work is ongoing on Tuesday, December 22 to establish the identity of that person killed in the blaze, but a spokesperson confirmed they are believed to be a male.

At the time of writing, the fire is being treated as ‘unexplained’ and Lincolnshire Police are working closely with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue to try and establish the exact circumstances.

Residents in the area described how they heard a loud explosion sound at the time the fire broke out.

Maureen Conley, 73, who has lived on De Wint Avenue for 24 years, said:

“My husband heard a huge explosion and came rushing back and said that there was massive fire next door.

“I’ve been in a house fire before myself but nothing close to this – I’ve never seen a fire take hold so quickly. It was going right out into the middle out of the road, smoke was pluming out everywhere.

“Our neighbours had been there about two or three years I’d say. We used to hello or good morning if we bumped into them on the street but on the whole they kept themselves to themselves just like we do.

“It’s just so tragic, especially just before Christmas.”

It took 50 firefighters and eight appliances to put out the fire at the former Co-op shop.

Police later confirmed a person had died.

In the hours after the news broke, a friend of the Taylor family, who are thought to have lived in the property, set up a fundraising page in support.

People have since donated over £2,675 to help them; a figure that is ever-climbing.

To find out more information about the fundraising appeal click here. 

Road closures were put in place in the area following the incident and De Wint Avenue and Shannon Avenue remain closed this morning.

Anyone who witnessed anything in relation to the fire and have not already spoken to officers should call 101 quoting incident 281 of December 21.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for help in tracing a man following football violence in Lincoln earlier this season.

The force launched an investigation into disorder which broke out in the city centre after Lincoln City’s game against Boreham Wood at Sincil Bank.

As previously reported, a brawl involving around 40 people was said to have begun at the High Street Shakespeare Street junction.

Three people were reportedly injured, although not seriously.

Eight men between the ages of 21 and 53 were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Seven of the men are from Borehamwood, with the other man from Hemel Hempstead.

Police would like to identify the man pictured to see if he has any information that could assist the enquiry.

If you know him, contact PC Alex Rose on 01522 885218.

An 82-year-old woman who was left with facial injuries and a broken arm after she was robbed in Lincolnshire over the weekend has said she feels ‘lucky’ the ordeal wasn’t worse.

Kathleen Cordon was robbed in Frampton Terrace, Gainsborough at around 10am on the morning of Friday, December 18.

She had been to Tesco and was making her way back home past the Trinity Arts Centre and onto Frampton Terrace when she was robbed.

The victim was found on the pavement on Frampton Terrace – her handbag had been stolen.

She suffered facial injuries and a broken arm as a result of the attack.

Kathleen said: “I have lived in Gainsborough all of my life and this isn’t going to stop me feeling safe or walking the streets in the town where I’ve always lived.

“I have spent little time in hospital in 82 years and everyone has been very kind to me. I’m fine and I won’t let this beat me.

“It was only money that was taken from me, it could have been a lot worse – I feel very lucky.”

People in the local area who had heard about Kathleen’s ordeal have set up a fundraising page to support her this Christmas.

Over £500 has so far been raised on the JustGiving page here. 

DC John Treharne from Lincolnshire Police, who is conducting the investigation said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries in relation to this robbery and it’s quite clear that most right-minded people have been understandably upset by what has happened to Mrs Cordon.

“I’m full of admiration for her grit and determination in not letting this get the better of her.

“I’d like to emphasise that we believe this is a one-off incident and not part of any wider series that we’ve been made aware of.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to trace and talk to a man seen in the area who may be able to assist with the enquiry. He is described as white, around 6ft tall, with and wearing dark clothing.

“If you saw a man matching this description or have any information you think might assist the enquiry we would like to hear from you via our non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 132 of December 18.

“Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

A sex offender convicted of eight offences of voyeurism while on the run will finally be placed behind bars after he was caught by officers in the USA.

Andrew Ferris was sentenced to 21 months in prison and placed on the sex offenders register in his absence at Lincoln Crown Court on September 23, 2014.

A crown court bench warrant was issued for his arrest and, over a year on, Lincolnshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service tracked down the voyeur across the Atlantic.

Ferris, 39 and from the East Lothian area in Scotland, was detained by the US Marshals Service and will be extradited back to the UK on December 22.

He will appear before Lincoln Crown Court on December 23.

Head of Lincolnshire Police Public Protection Unit, Detective Superintendent Richard Hatton said: “Andrew Ferris has been traced by our managing sex offenders and violent offenders (MOSOVO) team, extradited and will now serve his prison sentence.

“We work hard to keep people safe, support victims and convict offenders.

“Perpetrators should know we will not stop looking for them and bring them to justice.”

Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are continuing to investigate a tragic fire in Lincoln, in which a 17-year-old boy was killed.

The fire at a magic shop on De Wint Avenue in Lincoln continues to be treated as ‘unexplained’.

Officers have been at the scene of the fire since it broke out just before 4.30pm on December 21.

A number of enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances involved.

Formal identification and a post mortem examination of the teen killed in the blaze are expected to be carried out within the coming days.

Lincolnshire Police confirmed only that the person was a 17-year-old male.

A woman and two men were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

DI Mark Blackbourn said: “We have been working tirelessly with the fire and rescue service since the start of this fire to try and piece together the exact chain of events.

“We are exploring a number of possibilities and for that reason are currently treating the fire as unexplained.

“This is a very traumatic and clearly tragic event for the family involved. For this to happen at any time of the year is devastating but particularly so at Christmas time. Our thoughts are very much with them.

“We continue to appeal for any information that could help the enquiry. If you witnessed anything in relation to the fire and have not already spoken to officers please call us on our non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 281 of December 21.”

Tributes and donations are continuing to pour in in support of the Taylor family, who have been affected by the traumatic incident.

A fundraising page set up by a friend of the family has seen contributions reach over £6,000.

The 17-year-old boy who died in a fire which broke out on Monday December 21, has been named as Thomas Taylor.

The final stages of the formal identification process are now underway.

As previously reported, the fire at a magic shop on De Wint Avenue destroyed the property after neighbours heard loud explosions.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious but investigations continue to take place at the house.

A fundraising page, set up by a friend of the Taylor family, has already seen many generous donations by the local population, totalling £8,500 at the time of writing.

DI Mark Blackbourn said: “My heart goes out to the family. It’s a tragic accident and to lose your son at any time of the year is terrible but then to lose him around Christmas time just seems to make things worse.

“The family are absolutely devastated. We’ve put measures in place to help them as best we can and we’re in contact with them as often as we can be.”

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a number of valuable watches were stolen from a jewellers in Lincoln city centre.

An offender forced entry to the Waterside Shopping Centre and smashed the front window of Goldsmiths jewellers at around 10pm on Monday, December 21.

Around 30 Tag Heuer and Carrera watches, thought to be worth more than £50,000 were stolen.

DC Maria Horner said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone dressed in dark clothing and acting suspiciously in the area and are urging the public to be wary of purchasing such a watch when an offer appears to be ‘too good to be true’.

“Also any specialist dealers who may have been offered any Tag Heuer or Carerra watches for sale are asked to get in touch.”

Police are also keen to trace the watch display stands that were stolen with the watches.

Around 30 similar to those shown were removed and may have been disposed of somewhere in the city.

Anyone with information shoud contact the force on 101 quoting incident 451 of December 21.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A Lincoln man who captured some of the city’s highlights from the sky has received a caution from Lincolnshire Police for the unauthorised use of a drone.

As previously reported, the force released an image of a man they wanted to trace in relation to drone footage which had appeared online.

The man voluntarily spoke to police officers while the force investigated whether an offence had been committed.

The dramatic video, initially published on YouTube on October 15, shows the drone taking off from the Lincoln Tank Memorial on the Tritton Road roundabout, going over the Brayford and right up to Lincoln Cathedral.

Drones can be legally purchased as long as they weigh less than 20kg and are not used for commercial purposes.

Owners must avoid flying drones within 150 metres of a congested area and 50 metres of a person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the pilot.

Drones must also need to be flown “within sight”, meaning they can’t go above 400 feet in altitude or further than 500 metres horizontally.

Lincolnshire Police are searching for the driver of a white van that crashed into a woman on a mobility scooter before fleeing the scene.

The owner of a Ford panel van failed to stop at the scene of the collision on the B1189, Station Road, Metheringham at approximately 8pm on Tuesday, December 22.

The van is thought to have sustained damage to its left wing mirror after colliding with the 66-year-old woman as she was crossing the road.

She was taken to Lincoln County Hospital with serious leg injuries.

The vehicle may also have sustained other damage to its front left side as a result of the collision.

The vehicle did not stop at the scene and drove away on the B1189 towards Woodhall Spa.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lincolnshire Police on the non-emergency 101 number or the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855, quoting incident number 378 of December 22.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for information in order to trace a family from the county who have been reported missing.

Officers are looking to trace Diana Degtiarenko, 35, (pictured), Alexander Cvetkov, 41, (pictured) and their four-year-old daughter Anastasjia Cvetkov (no picture available), from Boston.

Diana is described as around 5ft 3in in height, of slim build, and with collar-length straight dark brown hair. Anastasjia has dark brown hair and frequently wears a pink coat.

Police say concerns are growing for their welfare and are asking to hear from anyone who might have seen them or know of their whereabouts.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 186 of December 23.

Some 25 people have been charged with a range of offences relating to an illegal rave in Lincolnshire, during which 21 police officers and a police dog received injuries.

The rave at Twyford Woods on May 24, 2015 lasted almost 48 hours and three officers required hospital treatment after revellers and officers clashed.

A number of people were previously charged in relation to the rave and, after appeals led by the police to identify further suspects pictured at the rave, more people have been charged.

Accusations include violent disorder, theft and drug offences.

The following defendants are appearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on February 11, 2016 (name followed by address and charges):

• Ross David Porter, 29, Hearsey Gardens, Blackwater, Camberley, Hampshire – Violent Disorder
• Michael Carden, 22, Albert Road, Brimscombe, Gloucestershire – Violent Disorder, theft & drug offence
• Alfie Clutterham, 18, Silverley Way, Ashley, Cambridgeshire – Violent Disorder
• Joseph Philip Michael Collins, 27, High Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk – Violent Disorder
• Robert Cooper, 20, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire – Violent Disorder
• Benjamin Jared Moore, 20, Essex Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk – Violent Disorder
• Glen More, 23, Bowbridge, Stroud, Gloucestershire – Violent Disorder
• Benjamin Connor Lewis Richardson, 18, Millfield Road, Metheringham, Lincolnshire – Violent Disorder and one drugs offence
• Oliver Rickman-Williams, 23, Ranwick, Stroud, Gloucestershire – Violent Disorder and two counts of handling stolen goods

The following defendants are appearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on February 18, 2016:

• Zachary John King, 20, Lakenheath, Suffolk – Violent Disorder
• Anthony Owens, 18, Wilton Close, Southmead, Bristol – two counts of Violent Disorder and four of drugs offences
• Scott Paul Lamond, 28, Richmond Road, Roath, Cardiff – Violent Disorder
• Adam Sheen, 30, Wyeverne Road, Newport, South Wales – Violent Disorder and one drugs offence
• Ashleigh Davies, 34, Tonypandy, Rhondda, Cynon Taff,South Wales – Violent Disorder
• Anthony Robert Davies, 29, Tonypandy, Rhondda, Cynon Taff, South Wales – Violent Disorder
• Alan Brown, 31, Aspal Hall Road, Beck Row, Suffolk – Public Nuisance
• Richard Higgs, 21, Cardigan Road, Hedingley, Leeds – Violent Disorder and one drugs offence
• James Tyler Long, 22, Ailesbury Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire – Two counts of Violent Disorder
• Thomas Carling, 18, Purleigh Road, Corsham, Wiltshire – Violent Disorder
• Joel Limburn, 22, Old Market Street, St Philips, Bristol – Violent Disorder
• Maggie-Mae Cross, 20, Anson Way, Carbrooke, Norfolk – Violent Disorder
• Shea Bruce-Watson, 19, Glastonbury, Somerset – Two counts of Violent Disorder
• Dale Martin Richard Hopcroft, 22, The Maltings, Norfolk – Violent Disorder
• Dale James Waring, 20, Outwell, Norfolk – Violent Disorder
• Kieran Wilson, 22, Hoveton, Norfolk – Violent Disorder

Three people have been seriously injured after a two-vehicle crash on the A15 near Lincoln on Boxing Day.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash near Navenby just before 9.40am on Saturday, December 26.

A blue Subaru Impreza had been in collision with a silver Vauxhall Zafira and three people had been seriously injured.

Lincolnshire Police are asking for anyone who saw the collision or saw either the blue Impreza and the silver Zafira beforehand to call 101 or the witness hotline on 01522 558855.

One man has died and two other people are in hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the A15 on Boxing Day.

As previously reported, the crash between a blue Subaru Impreza and a silver Vauxhall Zafira happened just before 9.40am on the A15 near Navenby, between Lincoln and Sleaford.

Police said on Saturday evening that the driver of the Zafira was pronounced dead at the scene.  He is a 41-year-old man from the Lincoln area.

The 29-year-old man driving the Subaru Impreza was airlifted to Queen’s Medical Centre at Nottingham and has been detained there.

The 29-year old woman who was with him was taken to Lincoln County Hospital and has been detained overnight as well.

The road was reopened about 3.30pm.

Investigating officers are asking for anyone who saw the collision or saw either the blue Impreza or the silver Zafira before the collision to contact them on 101 or the witness hotline on 01522 558855.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving after his car crashed into a house in Lincoln on New Year’s Day.

This crash took place on Long Leys Road and was reported to Lincolnshire Police at 2.19am on January 1, 2016.

A blue Peugeot 406 left the road and crashed into a house.

The house suffered damage to a front window and some items within were also damaged. No-one inside the property was injured.

The driver of the car left the scene before police officers arrived.

Later in the night, police arrested the 24-year-old Lincoln man suffering from minor injuries on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

He remains in custody at Lincoln Police Station.

A 28-year-old man suffered a broken arm after he was knocked off his bike by a hit and run driver.

The incident happened along the A17 between Kirkby le Thorpe and Heckington at around 7.30am on Saturday, January 2.

The cyclist from Sleaford was knocked off his bike and the driver failed to stop, police said.

The cyclist suffered a broken arm in the incident and is currently being treated at Boston Pilgrim hospital.

Police said he is likely to be detained in hospital overnight.

There is no description of the vehicle involved at this stage.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the vehicle and/or the driver involved is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on the 101 non-emergency number quoting incident 51 of 2/1/16.

Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A 56-year-old man from Withern has died after the car he was driving left the road and crashed into a house on New Year’s Day.

Three other passengers in the car, two men aged 19 and 20 from Louth and a woman aged 18 from Withern, were treated for minor injuries.

The incident happened just before 9.10pm on Friday, January 1, when a silver Rover 75 saloon left the road and crashed into a house at Gayton Top, Louth Road, Gayton Le Marsh near Alford.

The 56-year-old driver of the car died at the scene, police said.

The house is believed to be unoccupied.

Investigating officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have seen the Rover on the road prior to the crash.

They can call the 101 non-emergency of the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855 quoting incident 504 of January 1.