Residents evacuated after fire sweeps through family home in Grimsby
Emergency services praised for quick response to house fire in terraced home in Grimsby that led to evacuation of family and neighbours
Peter CraigReporter
Fire investigators are examining what started a bedroom fire at a Grimsby home which caused extensive damage and led to evacuations.
The family of five in the terraced house in Evesham Avenue, Laceby Acres all escaped unhurt, but were shocked by the speed that the fire spread.
It started in the upstairs bedroom and quickly took hold causing extensive damage. Smoke also poured through to the roof space of adjoining homes. Neighbours had to be evacuated as the blaze spread.
One of the family members said they were "too devastated to talk."
Emergency services at the scene of the fire on Evesham Avenue
Humberside Fire and Rescue crews were on the scene very quickly to tackle the bedroom fire which started around 8.50am.
A fire investigator said: "We are investigating the cause of the fire in the upstairs bedroom and the police are also conducting their enquiries. Thankfully no one was injured."
The British Red Cross also attended to provide support to the families affected by the fire.
Volunteer Paul Harries said his service provides emergency accommodation for people left homeless due to fires and floods.
"We make sure they have clothing and accommodation. We have been providing the service for over 20 years but started in this area about three years ago," he told.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named said: "It was a shock. The first thing I heard was a bang and thought it was kids playing with a wheelie bin. But I looked out and saw all the people stood in the street.
The property in Evesham Avenue after being devastated by a fire
"The fire service and police went round telling people to get out. I had my grand kids staying so the first thing was to get them and the dogs safe."
She added: "It was so quick how it spread. The smoke was coming into my house and I am a couple of doors down from it."
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She praised the speed of the response from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
"They were here very quickly."
The anxious neighbour said fire crews had tackled a wheelie bin fire in Queensway on Friday evening.
"We have the fire service down here that often," she said.
The Red Cross came out to support the family after a fire tore through the house
Another neighbour said: "We are all still in shock. It is not what you expect on a quiet Sunday morning ."
A Humberside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "Everyone was outside when the fire crews arrived. But the home is uninhabitable because of the damage.
"We checked all the roof spaces of all the properties to make sure they are all safe and everyone was allowed back home.
"But the family's house which was severely damaged are being supported by the British Red Cross and they will get them whatever they need whether it is rehoming and clothing."
Humberside Fire & Rescue