Cambridgeshire fire: 80 forced to evacuate homes after severe blaze in Peterborough suburb
A HUGE fire has forced 80 people to be evacuated from their homes in Cambridgeshire, with firefighters battling to prevent the blaze quickly spreading to nearby properties in a Peterborough suburb.
Bretton fire: Station commander advises to ‘stay clear’ of area
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) were called to reports of a large fire at Hyholmes, North Bretton, at 12.31am on Sunday.
Firefighters discovered a huge blaze at a building that was affecting a gas mains supply.
Crews have set up hose reels to prevent the fire spreading to nearby properties, while a 120 metre cordon is also in place.
Group commander Danny Kelly described it as "quite a severe fire".
He said: "We have police, ambulance, gas and electric on site as well, working together to try to reduce and also stop the gas from leaking, which is currently on fire.
"It is quite a severe fire at the moment. Firefighters are protecting the surrounding properties.
"We have evacuated approximately 80 people from the surrounding area.
"I would ask that people in the general area keep clear.
"There's a lot going on for us right now, but we can reassure you that we're doing everything we can to resolve the incident as quickly as possible."
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “On Sunday (Auust 16) at 12.31am, crews were called to a fire on Hyholmes, North Bretton.
“Crews arrived to find a substantial fire in a building affecting a gas mains supply.
“Firefighters set up hose reels to prevent the fire spreading to nearby property.
“A 100 metre cordon has been set up and around 90 residents have been evacuated.
“Those who’ve been evacuated have been signposted to The Cresset in Bretton.”
Peterborough Police advised people to avoid the area and for locals to keep their windows and doors closed.
The force wrote on Facebook: “ Officers are currently assisting Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in responding to a fire in Hyholmes, Bretton.
“An 120 metre cordon is in place and several properties have been evacuated as a precaution.
"Please avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed if you are nearby.”
Locals described the horrific scene from the huge blaze.
Hyholmes resident Bryan Grantham told the Peterborough Telegraph: “My son is staying with us and got up to go to the loo.
"He saw the blue lights flashing and woke us up.
“We could see from our window that the flames were growing.
"They were shooting up and were above the height of the houses.
"It had been going for some time by that stage."
One person wrote on social media: "It’s bad, like really bad. I can see the flames from my window.
"It’s gonna be hours before it’s out.
"I’m seeing quite a few people being evacuated from their houses.
"Hopefully we’re safe where we are but I hope everyone being evacuated is staying safe."