RAGING INFERNO
Crewe care home fire sparks massive emergency response as 150 OAPs are evacuated amid fears for nearby homes
MORE than 150 OAPS were forced to flee after a massive blaze ripped through their care home overnight.
Fire crews battled the flames at the Beechmere living complex in Crewe, Cheshire, all through the night after the fire broke out about 4pm yesterday.
13
13
Terrifying photographs show the fireball gutted the care home as more than 70 firefighters raced to contain it.
The flames quickly ripped through the large three-storey building - which has been almost completely destroyed.
Sixteen fire engines from Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Merseyside worked for more than 12 hours to fight the blaze.
Brave firefighters also donned breathing apparatus as they used hose reel jets, main jets and high volume pumps to extinguish the flames.
A number of locals living in nearby streets were also evacuated as a precaution.
Desperate locals reported that hero firefighters were exhausted after tackling the fire for more than 12 hours - and were running out of water.
Twitter user Sars Sofia wrote: "If anyone lives in and around Cheshire please come and help the emergency services by bringing them food, water anything.
"They’ve been trying to tackle this fire down my street for 12 hours now! The wind is picking up and more public are being evacuated out their homes."
Relatives and kind neighbours offered to take in the evacuated care home residents.
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
No-one is believed to have been hurt in the fire - but local residents have been warned to avoid the area and keep their windows closed due to smoke.
And Cheshire Constabulary praised residents who rushed to help emergency services as they tackled the fire.
Superintendent Pete Crowcroft, who oversees policing in the area, said: “This is a very large fire in a building that is at the heart of the community.
"Naturally, this will have a significant impact on those living close by and they will clearly be concerned for all those affected.
"But the response shown last night within minutes of the incident being reported was nothing short of remarkable and I want to thank every single person who has helped or offered help in some way.
"Your kind-hearted gesture will have been very much appreciated by everyone involved and I’m sure will have brought some comfort to the residents affected by the fire.”
Neil Griffiths, who is the fire commander in charge, added: "This is a substantial fire in a very large and complex building.
"More than 70 firefighters have been at the scene overnight tackling the blaze – the response effort has been immense and I want to thank each and every one of them.
"Our efforts have been hampered by the weather, the layout of the site and the access to it but I want to reassure everyone that we are doing all that we can to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible. The response from the local community has been amazing and we are very appreciative of their support."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Road closures remain in place this morning as crews work to dampen down the scene.
The Salvation Army and British Red Cross has also provided support at the site throughout the night into the morning – for both residents affected by the incident and firefighters who remain at the scene.
Anyone living in the local area who has any concerns is urged to call 101. Any relatives with any concerns can call 101 quoting IML 480541.
13
13
13
13
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics