Cambridgeshire fire forces at least 80 people to be evacuated from their homes
At least 80 people are evacuated from their homes as firefighters battle 30ft flames after huge blaze erupts in gas main near Peterborough
- Firefighters were called to the scene of large blaze in Peterborough at 12.31am
- They discovered the blaze, which spread after a gas mains supply caught fire
- Hose reels have been set up to prevent the fire spreading to nearby properties
By Danyal Hussain For Mailonline
Published: 01:26 EDT, 16 August 2020 | Updated: 04:02 EDT, 16 August 2020
A ‘severe’ blaze has forced at least 80 people to be evacuated from their homes in Peterborough after a gas main caught fire.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said they were called to a large blaze at Hyholmes, North Bretton in Peterborough at 12.31am on Sunday.
Group Commander Danny Kelly said crews discovered a gas mains supply on fire, causing a leak.
Firefighters have set up hose reels to prevent the fire spreading to nearby properties, while a 100 metre cordon is in place.
Six hours after the first reports, rescue teams are still battling the 30ft flames, though there aren’t any reports of injuries.
One evacuated resident said: ‘The fire was pretty frightening. Flames were 30 to 40 feet high that I could see. It was a dramatic scene.’
At least 80 people have been evacuated because of the fire in Peterborough in the early hours
Firefighters discovered a substantial fire in a building in the Peterborough suburb which was affecting a gas mains supply
Group commander Danny Kelly said four fire engines remain at the scene of the ‘severe’ fire
Another told Peterborough Today: ‘We could see from our window that the flames were growing. They were shooting up and were above the height of the houses.’
Danielle Skipp said: ‘My boyfriend woke at 12.30 and heard a noise. We thought it was the TV so we unplugged it. We heard two bangs and at first thought it was work taking place on the railway nearby. But when my boyfriend looked out of the window the sky was glowing and blue lights were flashing.
‘Police there told us the sub station was on fire.’
CFRS said those who had been evacuated had been moved to a nearby performing arts theatre while crews work to bring the fire under control.
Evacuated residents have been organised into household bubbles to comply with coronavirus social distancing measures.
A spokesman for gas company Cadent said the gas supply is not expected to explode as it is outside.
Group Commander Kelly said it was hoped the gas could be shut off by about 7.30am.
He added that four fire engines remain at the scene of the ‘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.
Six hours after the first reports, rescue teams are still battling the blaze, though there aren’t any reports of injuries
CFRS said those who had been evacuated had been moved to a nearby performing arts theatre while crews work to bring the fire under control
‘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.’
Residents were evacuated because of the heat of the fire, it is believed, with photos on social media showing large pillars of flame billowing into the sky.
The fire service have warned people living nearby to close their doors and windows.
Speaking from the scene, Commander Kelly added: ‘I’m here in North Bretton, Peterborough at a large incident involving a gas main which was ruptured.
‘The fire service was called earlier this morning at 12.50, to what was believed to be a small fire in a garden.
Firefighters have set up hose reels to prevent the fire spreading to nearby properties, while a 100 metre cordon is in place
‘When crews arrived they discovered quite a large gas main on fire.
‘Currently on scene we have four fire engines and two water carriers standing by. We also have police, ambulance, gas and electric on site as well.
‘We’re working together to try and reduce and stop the gas from leaking, which is currently on fire.
‘You may here it in the background, it’s quite a severe fire at the moment, and fire service are protecting surrounding properties.
‘We have evacuated approximately 80 people from the surrounding area, and we have a 100-metre cordon in place which has been done by our police colleagues.
‘I would ask that people keep clear of the general area. 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.’
